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Tension in Niger Delta as security agents begin manhunt for Tompolo over warrant of arrest

Published

11 years ago

January 14, 2016

The noose seems to have been tightened on ex-militant leader and founder of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo as security agents move to effect the order of a Federal High Court.

The order has reportedly heightened tension in the volatile Niger Delta region as militant groups linked to MEND and other stakeholders are said to have summoned a meeting to determine a coordinated response.

It was learnt that an earlier meeting was called ahead of today’s scheduled arraignment of Tompolo before the High Court, but it was not clear if it held or what decision was reached. ‎Another meeting is reportedly scheduled for the weekend.

Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court today in Lagos ordered the immediate arrest of the leader of the MEND leader.

Buba gave the arrest order after an application filed before the court by the EFCC prosecutor,Mr Festus Keyamo,for failure of the accused former militant to appear in court to answer charges filed against him

Mr Keyamo told the court that based on the order of the court for substituted service, summons to appear before the court was pasted at his residence in Warri Delta state yesterday and photographs of it were taken.

Mr Keyamo also told the court that a copy of the photograph accompanied with the affidavit was being filed at the court registry.

He therefore urged the court to stand down the case for fifteen minutes.

But as the presiding Judge, Ibrahim Buba was about to accede to his request, one of the officials of the court registry brought the sworn affidavit to the court.

It was alleged that during investigation and up till the criminal charge against him was filed before the court, Ekpemupolo has rebuffed all invitations sent to him, including the court summons to appear before the court. Instead, he took a paid advertisement in newspaper warnings on the consequences of him going to war.

Nigeria’s anti graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) in a 40-count criminal charge of unlawful conversion filed against him and former NIMASA boss Patrick Akpobolokemi alleged they converted the sum of $108.7 million and N2.1 billion, property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sum were proceeds of theft.

Three other persons and five limited liability companies were charged with them.

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

In count seventeen to count thirty-Eight of the criminal charge,Rex Elem,Gregory Mbonu and Destre consult Ltd were alleged to have converted,the sum of $106.9 million, property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption.

In counts 39 and 40,Captain Warredi Enisuoh was alleged to have converted the sum of eight million Naira, property of Global West Vessel Specialist knowing that the money was derived from official corruption.
The offences alleged to have been committed by all the accused are punishable under money laundering Act of 2012.

All the accused persons and the companies alleged to have been used as conduit pipes for the conversion of the money were present in court today with the exception of Government Ekpmupolo who the court has ordered to be arrested.

Justice Buba adjourned till 8th of February, 2016 when all the accused will be arraigned.

Patrick Akpolobokemi is currently standing trial in two different courts of the Federal High Court Lagos division.

But, it was not immediately clear what Tompolo’s reaction to the order‎ would be, even though some of his associates had previously warned of the consequences of possible witch hunt and persecution as they regard the ongoing trial.