The court cases against popular Niger Delta militant, Tompolo has been increased with an arraignment in Lagos today.
Chief Government Oweize Ekpemupolo
The Federal Government has filed fresh criminal charges against a former Niger Delta militant leader, Chief Government Oweize Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), involving about N22,765,900,000, according to the Nation.
The new charge, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Lagos, borders on stealing, advanced fee fraud and money laundering. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the 22-count charge against Tompolo and 12 others.
Justice Ibrahim Buba had, on January 14, ordered Tompolo’s arrest. The judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to report in court to face a prior criminal charge against him.
The judge had, a day earlier, summoned Tompolo, but the accused did not turn up. EFCC’s lawyer Festus Keyamo said Tompolo ignored previous invitations by EFCC during investigation.
Others accused in the first charge include a former Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi; Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electricals Limited, Kemi Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Limited, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.
EFCC, in the 40-count charge, said the suspects allegedly diverted N34 billion, which accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist Limited for personal use.
The alleged offence contravenes Section 15 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
In the 22-count charge, Tompolo will face trial along with Akpobolokemi, whose four brothers – Victor, Nobert, Emmanuel and Clement – said to be at large, allegedly aided the suspects to commit the fraud.