THE Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered a former Niger Delta militant leader, Chief Government Oweize Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), to appear before it today to face alleged criminal charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Other accused in the matter 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 and Destre Consult Limited.
Justice Ibrahim Buba issued the summons on Tompolo, following a January 12 motion ex-parte by EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo.
Justice Buba ruled: “An order is granted to the applicant issuing a summons to compel the appearance of Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) before this court, having been alleged to have committed the offences as contained in the body of the charge.”
The judge also granted EFCC leave to serve the summons and the charge on Tompolo by affixing them on a conspicuous part of his address at 1, Chief Agbanu DDPA Extension, Warri, Delta State.
Despite being in hiding, the EFCC said it would arraign Tompolo and the nine others at the Federal High Court, Lagos, in absentia on a 40-count of alleged money laundering, conspiracy, stealing and diversion of funds.
The commission confirmed that it secured an order to serve Tompolo through substituted means.
A statement by its Head of Media and Publicity Mr. Wilson Uwujaren 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.”
In a 40-count charge, EFCC said the accused committed fraudulent conversion of several millions of naira, dollars and property belonging to NIMASA for personal purposes.
The allegations include conversion of these amounts into private use; N601,516.13 and $1,766,428.62; N27,690,113.79 and $17,491,378.64 as well as N27,690,113.79 and $17,491,378.64 .
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.
Security agents, last December 14, re-arrested Akpobolokemi outside the Federal High Court premises in Lagos, following the adjournment of his trial for alleged fraud.
Policemen and plain clothes security agents bundled him into a waiting bus after Justice Buba adjourned trial till January 18.
Akpobolokemi’s re-arrest was linked to allegations of fraudulently coveting about N12,905,485,000 meant for a maritime university.
About N11,737,854,485 of the amount was allegedly paid into a company suspected to be owned by Tompolo.
Akpobolokemi is also said to have diverted N816 million meant for the Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit (VIMSAS).
This is the third charge he would face in court.
EFCC arraigned Akpobolokemi and three others for allegedly converting N2.6 billion as well as defrauding the Federal Government of N795.2 million.
The others are: Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Juan and three companies – Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and Al-Kenzo Logistic Limited.
In a 22-count, the accused were said to have converted N2,658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28, last year. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Akpobolokemi and nine others, including two companis, were first arraigned before Justice Saliu Saidu on a separate charge of conspiring to convert N3.4 billion belonging to NIMASA.
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