EFCC files suit against Tompolo asking for right to seize his assets for failing to appear

FORMER Niger Delta militant leader Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo may have some of his assets frozen after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) applied for a court order to do so.

 

Highly influential and a local Ijaw chief in his native Gbaramatu community of Delta State, Tompolo, who was very visible during the era of former president Dr Goodluck Jonathan. However, last December, he was invited by the EFCC to visit their offices to answer charges relating to supply contracts he was given but he has shunned the invitations.

 

His refusal to honour the invitation prompted an Abuja magistrate's court and a Lagos federal high court to issue warrants for his arrest. Last week, the EFCC also took out newspaper advertisements asking for information on Tompolo's whereabouts and thousands of soldiers have been deployed to the creeks to search for him.

 

Further tightening the noose, the EFCC has asked for a court order to seize Tompolo's assets pending when he will appear to answer charges of N45.9bn (£158m) fraud preferred against him and nine others. This latest application dated February 18, was filed by the EFCC's lawyer Festus Keyamo, pursuant to sections 80 and 81 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

 

Among Tompolo's assets the EFCC listed as those it intends to seize is his house located at 1, Chief Agbamu Close DDPA Extension Warri in Effurum in Delta State. Others include his companies Mieka Dive, Mieka Dive Training Institute, Global West Vessel Specialist, Muhaabix Global Services, and a River Crew Change Boat named Muha 15, Tompolo Dockyard, Tompolo Yard, the Diving School at Kurutie and Tompolo House in Oporaza Town, opposite the monarch's palace.

 

In the suit, the EFCC urged the court to grant it an order to take over any other movable and immovable assets belonging to Tompolo. In a five-paragraph affidavit filed in support of the application, a lawyer from Keyamo’s chambers, said Tompolo had been invited on several occasions by the EFCC to answer allegations of fraudulent activities.

 

He added: "Since the issuance of the warrant of arrest, the first accused person has absconded and concealed himself from all security forces in the country to frustrate the execution of the warrant of arrest. Rather than present himself to the court, the first accused person engaged the services of Tayo Oyetibo, who filed a motion dated 27th day of January, 2016 to set aside the warrant of arrest but the said motion was dismissed on the 8th day of February, 2016.

 

In its original suit, the EFCC filed 40 counts against Tompolo and nine others, including the immediate-past director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (Nimasa), Patrick Akpobolokemi. Other suspects in the charge are Kime Engozu, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.

 

They were charged along with four companies Global West Vessel Specialist, Odimiri Electrical, Boloboere Property and Estate and Destre Consult. All the suspects were accused of diverting and converting to their personal use a sum of N34bn and N11.9bn belonging to Nimasa.