EFCC drags Tompolo, Akpbolokemi to court

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Lagos filed a 40-count criminal charge of unlawful conversion against a Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), and a former boss of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi.

They are said to have allegedly converted the sums of $108.7m and N2.1billion respectively, being property of NIMASA.  They were charged with three others as well as five limited liability companies for stealing.

The suit, FHC/L/5539C/15, was filed on behalf of the EFCC by its prosecutor, Festus Keyamo.  In 16 of the counts, the agency alleges that Ekpemupolo, Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Boloboere Property Estate, Kime Engozu and Simon John Adomene, who is currently at large, conspired amongst themselves between 2012 and 2014 to commit the offence, knowing that the two sums of money were proceeds of stealing.

The other accused are: Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electricals Limited, Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Ltd, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Ltd, Gregory Mbonu, and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.

In counts 17-38 of the criminal charge, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Destre Consult Ltd are allegedly converted the sum of N106.8m, property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, despite knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption.

In counts 39 and 40, the EFCC alleges that Captain Warredi Enisuoh converted the sum of N8 million, property of Global West Vessel Specialist, knowing that the money was derived from official corruption.

The offences alleged to have been committed by the accused are contrary to, and punishable under the Money Laundering Act of 2012.

It would be recalled that Mr. Akpolobokemi is currently standing trial in two different courts of the Federal High Court in Lagos for other offences.

Only last week, Tompolo was served a letter of invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) given him one week to appear before the Commission on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos or risk being declared wanted.

In a letter from the Commission’s office in Lagos stated that the former militant was being investigated in an undisclosed deals involving sale of parcels of land worth over N13 billion belonging to the Federal government under the former President Goodluck Jonathan.