N13bn Fraud:Tompolo Ignores Court Order

Former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has refused to appear in the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos today to answer a 40-count charge of alleged N13bn fraud leveled against him  by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.


According to Vanguard,the order, which was granted in Charge No: FHC/L/553c/2015, was sequel to a motion ex-parte brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  (EFCC).

Those also issued court order for involvement in the fraud case include; NIMASA Director-General, Mr. Patrick Ziakede Akpobolokemi, Tompolo’s company, Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimixi Electricals Limited, Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Limited, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.

All the accused persons showed up except Tompolo who ignored the court's order.

 The 40-count charge leveled against them  include the conversion of N601, 516.13 and $1, 766, 428.62, property of NIMASA, into private concerns; conversion of NIMASA’s N27,690,113.79 and $17, 491, 378.64, as well as another N27, 690,113.79 and $17, 491, 378.64, belonging to the agency to personal use, an offence contrary to section 15 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act.

It would be recalled that the EFCC had previously asked Tompolo to appear on December 17, 2015 for questioning in respect of the N13 billion land acquisition controversy for Nigerian Maritime University, NMU in Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, with a threat to declare him wanted should he fail to appear before the Federal High Court yesterday gave an order to appear before it.