An official order from the Federal High Court in Lagos has been issued for the arrest of former Niger Delta militant, Government Epemupolo also known as Tompolo who is being investigated by the EFCC for allegedly fraudulently selling a land for N13 billion to the last administration for the construction of a Nigerian Maritime University (NMU).
The court also ordered Tompolo to unconditionally appear before it today (Thursday) to answer 40 counts of alleged N13bn fraud levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Tompolo had been charged on Tuesday with an amended 40 counts of conspiracy, fraud and money laundering alongside an ex-Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Patrick Akpobolokemi.
Justice Ibrahim Buba granted the order to compel Tompolo’s appearance in chambers on Tuesday shortly after the amended charges were filed in court.
The judge, in a copy of the order, held, “That an order is granted to the applicant (EFCC) issuing a summons to compel the appearance of Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) before this honourable court having been alleged to have committed the offences as contained in the body of the charge.
“That leave is granted to the applicant to serve the summons and charge No. FHC/L/553c/2015 on Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tomplolo) by substituted means to wit: affixing same on the conspicuous part of his known address situate at No 1 Chief Agbanu DDPA Extension, Warri, Delta State.”
Charged alongside Tompolo and Akpobolokemi are one Kime Engozu, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Capt Warredi Enisuoh.
Among the accused are also four companies – Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd., Odimiri Electrical Ltd., Boloboere Property and Estate Ltd., and Destre Consult Ltd.
The EFCC accused the defendants of conspiracy and fraudulent conversion of NIMASA’s property to their own contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012.
The prosecution said the accused were liable to punishment under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.
Also, the bank accounts of Tompolo’s companies- Mieka Divers Ltd and Global West Vessel Specialists Nigeria Ltd, used for the payment of the N13 billion has been frozen by the EFCC.
Tompolo has insisted that the land sale was transparently done and that any question for clarification should be directed to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Specifically, the EFCC wishes to question Tompolo about the illicit sale of N13 billion in land from him to the Federal Government. According to reports, the Federal Government wanted to construct the Nigerian Maritime University (NMU) and had diverted public funds through the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) under the embattled Director General, Mr. Patrikc Akpobolokemi to the ex- militant.
It would be recalled that Akpobolokemi is currently in the EFCC net facing allegations of high scale fraud at NIMASA.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that Tompolo was expected to appear at the EFCC training room on Thursday, December 17 but he never showed up.
A similar invitation was earlier issued to Tompolo in November by the Head of Operations at the EFCC, Iliasu Kwabai but he failed to appear and no correspondence was received from him.
The Niger Delta warlord later issued a statement which reads in part that “As my Solicitor’s letter indicated I am already in court with the EFCC in Suit No: FHC/W/CS/152/2015. EFCC had been served with the court processes since 20th of October 2015 but they refused to attend court on several occasions, or to file any court papers, only to appear for the first time on 30th November 2015 without filing any court papers. They even asked for the matter to be adjourned to 17th December 2015, the date they are now inviting me to appear before them|”
“In fact, EFCC only invited me two months AFTER I sued them. In my Solicitor’s letter I informed them that as soon as the court decides one way or another, I would honor their invitation”, he had stated.
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