The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Government Ekpemupolo.

  • APC chieftain takes Buhari’s message to Tompolo’s turf

    The people of Gbaramatu Kingdom, one of the largest Ijaw kingdoms in Delta state, have been charged to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday to reap the full benefits the federal government has to offer.

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta state and coordinator of the Delta South Canvassers for Buhari, Chief Michael Johnny, who gave the charge to the people of Gbaramatu in Warri on Wednesday, said it is time for the people of the state to move away from playing opposition.

    Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West council area of Delta state is the home base of former warlord and leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.

    Speaking to his people during the meeting in Warri, Jonny, who is also a member of Buhari Presidential Campaign Council, said a vote for Buhari will bring more development to the kingdom, which was neglected by past PDP governments.

    “Being a member of Presidential Campaign Council of Buhari Support Groups Committee, I know that President Muhammdau Buhari will win the presidential election, I respect the fact that Gbaramatu indigenes are in different political parties but my concern is that in the next democratic dispensation come May 29, the Gbaramatu people cannot afford to be in opposition,” he said.

    He however assured that there will be peace in Gbaramatu kingdom before, during and after the elections, urging the residents to vote for Buhari and APC on Saturday, noting that Buhari is a friend of Gbaramatu kingdom.

  • Any N/Delta meeting without Tompolo will fail – activist 

    Any N/Delta meeting without Tompolo will fail – activist 

    A Niger Delta activist, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, has said that any meeting of Niger Delta leaders with President Muhammadu Buhari without the former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo), will fail to achieve the desired results.

    Comrade Bebenimibo said those parading themselves as Niger Delta leaders are not in touch with the people or are abreast with the issues of the region.

    Bebenimibo in a press statement issued in Benin City urged the Federal Government to make effort to identify the true stakeholders in the Niger Delta to achieve peace in the region.

    He stated that the commencement of the Maritime University at Okerenkoko and the private sector driven $16 billion EPZ project, would guarantee a conducive atmosphere for dialogue.

    According to him, “We are happy that our leaders at talking with the Federal Government but the truth is that from the information from the grass root, the Federal government should also identify true stakeholders like High Chief Government Ekpemupolo. Government should identify such people to work with because he understands the terrain, he has the capacity to check militancy and above all, his humanitarian gesture has brought him closer to the people.

    “And when he speaks, the youths listens, so they need him. Majority of us are expressing this view because some of the leaders the Federal government is speaking with are not in touch with our people, as a result they cannot change anything. And if they go on with such people nothing will be achieved I can tell you.

    “For us to guarantee immediate peace and commence talks for the development of the Niger delta, the Federal government should kick off the Maritime university at Okerenkoko. Secondly, the private sector driven sixteen billion dollars EPZ project should start immediately to provide employment and business opportunities for our people.

    “These are the two projects that will guarantee immediate peace in the Niger Delta and conducive atmosphere in the region for government to implement other programmes and to also have hitch free crude oil business” he stated.

  • Tompolo: Associates seek to quash N47.6b fraud charge

    Tompolo: Associates seek to quash N47.6b fraud charge

    • Keyamo’s absence stalls trial as workers protest
    Some associates of wanted Niger Delta militant, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), have asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to quash a N47.8billion fraud charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
    Tompolo and others were arraigned in absentia on April 18 on 22 counts of conspiracy, stealing, advance fee fraud and money laundering.
    He was charged along with a former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency’s (NIMASA’s) Director-General Dr Patrick Akpobolokemi, who pleaded not guilty.
    Others are Kime Engozu, Josephine Otuaga, Rita Uruakpa, Mieka Dive Training Institute Ltd/GTE, Oyeinteke Global Network Limited, Wabod Global Resources Ltd, Boloboere Properties Estate Ltd, Gokaid Marine Oil and Gas Ltd, Muhaabix Global Services Ltd and Watershed Associated Resources.
    Also named in the charge are Akpobolokemi’s four brothers – Victor, Nobert, Emmanuel and Clement – said to be at large. They were said to have aided the suspects commit the fraud.
    The trial was stalled due to the absence of prosecution counsel Mr Festus Keyamo, who wrote to inform the court that a principal prosecution witness would not be available.
    One of the defence counsel, Mr. Oyesoji Oyeleke (SAN), said he filed a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the charge.
    He argued that since the prosecution failed to depose to an affidavit stating that it had concluded its investigation, the court should strike out the charge.
    Another defence counsel, Mr. Sylvester Ekweme, representing one of Akpobolokemi’s brothers, Clement, said his client had been in detention since April, adding that his bail application was still pending.
    EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves to defraud the Federal Government of the sum between December 2, 2014 and last April 10.
    The EFCC claimed that the accused persons of “falsely pretending to the Federal Government that a parcel of land and its appurtenances situated at Mieka Dive Training Institute, Kurutie, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State had been acquired by NIMASA for the temporary campus of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko.”
    The alleged offence violates Section 1 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other fraud related Offences Act, 2006 and were liable to punishment under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
    The defendants were also accused of swindling the Federal Government to the tune of N11.940billion, by presenting a forged Certificate of Customary Right of Occupancy of Bendel State of Nigeria dated May 6, 2014 to NIMASA on the false claim that the forged document was genuine and issued by Warri South-West Local Council, Delta State.
    Some staff members of Global West Vessel Specialist Limited stormed the court yesterday to protest the alleged non-payment of their salaries for 15 months.
    The company was charged along with Tompolo, Akpobolokemi and others in a separate case.
    EFCC, in the 40-count charge before also before Justice Ibrahim Buba, said the suspects allegedly diverted N34 billion for personal use.
    It alleged the money accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist, said to be owned by Tompolo.
    The workers said due to the freezing of the company’s accounts, their salaries had not been paid for the past 15 months.
    They bore placards, which read: “Global West is not owned by Tompolo”, “We are suffering, some of our colleagues have died in the process”, “Global West Vessel Specialist Limited workers need our 15 months salaries” and “Mr President save our soul; we are in support of your government, we are not militants”.
    One of the workers, Roland Omobude, said: “If the company has a case, are we, the workers, to suffer for this case? Can’t they identify the people that are involved in this case and pick them up? Let them pay us our salary. Some of our colleagues have died. About four or five people have died in the process. We are about 350 workers; we are in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri and Bayelsa.
     “They said the EFCC has frozen the accounts of Global West and since they’ve frozen the account since last year when this new Buhari regime came, nothing has been done. And without them defreezing this account nothing can be done. We are begging the Federal Government, we are begging everybody in this country to come to our aid; we are suffering.”
    Justice Ibrahim Buba adjourned the first case till November 10 for hearing of pending applications. He fixed trial for December 13 and 14.
  • Tompolo to judge: Refer my case to Appeal Court

    Tompolo to judge: Refer my case to Appeal Court

    Wanted ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), on Tuesday asked Justice Mojisola Olatoregun-Ishola of the Federal High Court in Lagos to refer his case to the Court of Appeal for determination.
    Tompolo is seeking an order “nullifying, voiding, striking down and expunging sections 221 and 306 from the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 to the extent of their inconsistency with the 1999 Constitution.”
    The applicant said the issues raised in his suit were novel. According to him, since there is no precedent, it would be better for the Court of Appeal to determine the case as any decision reached on the case“would affect many criminal and civil cases all over Nigeria where the ACJA is being applied.”
    In a supporting affidavit deposed to by Oladapo Sofola, Tompolo said: “A decision of this court on these issues will eventually be submitted to the Court of Appeal for review. Valuable time and resources will be saved if these issues are henceforth referred by this honourable court to the Court of Appeal as requested. The interest of justice will be better served if the substantial issues of law are so referred.”
    Through his lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Tompolo said sections 221 and 306 of the ACJA were unconstitutional because they prevent a court from entertaining any objection to a criminal charge or an application for stay of proceedings pending appeal.
    Section 221 says: “Objections shall not be taken or entertained during proceedings or trial on the ground of an imperfect or erroneous charge.” Section 306 says: “An application for stay of proceedings in respect of a criminal matter before a court shall not be entertained.”
    Tompolo wants the Court of Appeal to determine the following: (1) whether the ACJA sections are in consonance with sections 4 (8) 6 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution; (2) whether the sections are in consonance with Article 7 (1) (d) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act of 2004; and (3) whether the sections do not constitute flagrant violations of the guaranteed constitutional right of the applicant.
    Opposing Tompolo’s application, Attorney-General of the Federation, represented by Tolu Mukoro, urged the court to dismiss it. He said the Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution permits the government to enact any law such as the ACJA.
    He further submitted that since Tompolo has been consistently absent in the main criminal proceedings leading to the civil suit, he should not be allowed to take benefit of his wrongdoing to obtain any favour from the court.
    Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Mohammed also urged the court to dismiss the suit.
    Justice Ibrahim Buba, before whom criminal charges against Tompolo are pending, had on January 14, issued a warrant for Tompolo’s arrest. But Tompolo, on January 27, filed an application to set the warrant aside. OnFebruary 8, Justice Buba dismissed the application. Tompolo thereafter appealed the ruling on February 18.
    EFCC, on March 22, arraigned Tompolo in absentia over N34billion fraud after he failed to turn up despite being declared wanted. He was said to be “at large” in the charge.

    He was also absent on April 18 when his co-accused, former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Dr Patrick Akpobolokemi and others, were arraigned for alleged N22.7 billion fraud. He was also said to be “at large”.

    Justice Olatoregun-Ishola adjourned until December 12 for ruling on Tompolo’s application.
  • Tompolo blasts Buhari

    Tompolo blasts Buhari

    *says President knows nothing about Niger Delta

    *Accuses FG of unfair treatment

    *Buhari should be father of all

    The leader of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, Government Ekpemupolo, has slammed  President Muhammadu Buhari ignorance about situation of the Niger Delta region.

    He said the APC-led Federal Government is only interested in the oil produced in the region and not the well-being of its people.

    Ekpemupol (AKA Tompolo), in his latest letter to the President, also accused him of unfair treatment and alleged molestation of his 84-year-old father, Chief Thompson Ekpemupolo.

    He claimed that his octogenarian father lost a lower limb to amputation following his encounter with  troops of the Federal Government who invaded Kurutie, Warri South West Local Government Area in May.

    He urged the President to take keener interest in the affairs of the region and investigate allegations against him instead of judging him by what politicians say about him.

    He said, “As it stand now, you are not abreast with things happening in this part of the country, perhaps you are only abreast with crude oil exploration activities in the Niger Delta region.

    “I do not need to remind Your Excellency that, the primary duty of any government is to seek after the welfare and security of the citizenry,” he said.

    On his father’s travails, he added, “The military went to Kurutie Town in search of my 84-year-old father and brutalized him. We managed to rescue him to Warri and hospitalised him.

    “Sadly, one of his lower limbs was amputated two weeks ago. From the doctors report, it will be a miracle if he survives this incident. Is this 84 years old man also a member of the Niger Delta Avengers, that he was brutalised to the point of death?

    “Will your Excellency accept this in good faith if this was done to your father or someone of this age in your family? I have not heard of anyone that was treated like this even in the volatile North Eastern part of the country,” he added

    Tompolo, who dwelled extensively on his case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as well as the N13bn NIMASA University land acquisition debacle, urged the President to deploy his trusted aides to the area to ascertain the true state of affairs.

    He hinted that the issue of his alleged fraud was being used as a tool of blackmail and political vendetta, stressing that if the president took time to  investigate the matter the truth would be revealed.

    Nevertheless, he maintained his avowal to adopt lawful means always and  not  violence to prove his case with the EFCC.

    Yet he said, “Your Excellency sir, I have been wondering since the beginning of my travails at your instance, and I wish to ask whether, is this part of the fight against corruption in Nigeria? Or was it because I supported my kinsman, former president Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general elections? I thought everyone in Nigeria has the liberty to support whoever he or she deemed fit in an election.

    “And as Dr Jonathan bravely accepted the outcome of the election, which brought you in as President of Nigeria today, I thought you will heal wounds as the father of the Nation. And it was on this premise that I visited you immediately after your swear-in ceremony to pledge my loyalty and readiness to work with your administration.

    “I am yet to be told the reason for all these shenanigans exhibited by your security agencies and party members. I really want to know whether this macabre dance is being declared by you or is it out of their own volition to perpetuate this high level of hatred on my person and close associates? It has really gotten to a worrisome dimension as the situation is getting deteriorated by the day.

    “The latest victims of this unwarranted, misdirected and wicked act are Hon. Simeon Bebenimibo, a member of the Delta State Waterway and Land Security Committee and a driver of one of my aides, Mr Ebipade Kari, who was on an errand with a little baby.

    “The baby was thrown away from the vehicle, as the driver was beaten to pulp by your men, as he was asked the whereabouts of his boss.

    “That was not all, the military men stormed the house of one of my younger brothers, and harassed his pregnant wife with guns pointed at her. This has led to complications because of the closeness to her full time of delivery.

    “The duo who were arrested are presently in the custody of the Nigerian Army, Effurun. Before this incident, the Navy went to the apartment of another of my aide, and picked up his heavily pregnant wife as he was out of town, and kept her for 24 hours in the Navy base before releasing her.

    “The truth of the matter is that I have been treated unfairly by you sir. After all these hullabaloo about the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, in which I was accused of some wrong doing, you are yet to send emissaries to Okerenkoko (permanent site) and Kurutie( temporary site) of the University to ascertain the level of things on ground.”

  • Ex-militant ‘General’ Africa vows to stop ‘Avengers’

    Ex-militant ‘General’ Africa vows to stop ‘Avengers’

    Former militant, ‘General’ Africa Ukparasia on Friday offered to assist the federal government in stopping the activities of the new militant group in the South South, Niger Delta Avengers.
    The group has launched a series of attacks on oil facilities in the geopolitical zone causing a sharp drop in production.
    But General Africa told journalists in Abuja on Friday that the situation should not be allowed to continue like that.
    He accused the ‘Avengers’ of working for wanted ex-militant, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo.
    Tompolo has repeatedly denied any links with the group.
    General Africa said: “I want to state categorically that the Niger Delta Avengers is not a new group. It is Tompolo that is behind the group and what they are out to do is to carry out their threat to make the government ungovernable for the APC. We will not allow that to happen.
    “Tompolo is the person behind the attacks in the Niger Delta and so, Nigerians and people of the Niger Delta should not think that there is a new militant group. I am confirming that it is Tompolo that is behind the group. It is not a new militant group.
    “It is Tompolo that is disturbing the peace of the people of the Niger Delta. So, I am warning him to stop the unnecessary action and stop disturbing this our government because the government is very sincere.
    “During the last government, nobody heard of the name Avengers causing problem and causing damage to our oil installations.
    “Before the last election, Tompolo vowed and it was all over the media that if Jonathan did not win the election, he would make the country ungovernable. That is what he is doing now. So, nobody should be surprised about what is happening now because it is Tompolo that is doing it.
    “He promised that he would do that and it was all over the media. I have witnesses who can testify to this. Tell him I said so and I am sure he will not deny that.”
  • Tompolo files fresh application to halt trial

    Tompolo files fresh application to halt trial

    A former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to nullify sections 221 and 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 which he said violated his constitutional rights.

    He is seeking an order “nullifying, voiding, striking down and expunging sections 221 and 306 from the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to the extent of their inconsistency with the 1999 Constitution.”

    Section 221 says: “Objections shall not be taken or entertained during proceedings or trial on the ground of an imperfect or erroneous charge.”

    Section 306 says: “An application for stay of proceedings in respect of a criminal matter before a court shall not be entertained.”

    Tompolo is contending that the sections are unconstitutional because they seek to prevent the court from exercising its jurisdiction to entertain any objection to a criminal charge and an application for a stay of proceedings pending appeal.

    He is, thus, asking the court to stop his trial until the determination of these issues.

    The Federal Government, Attorney-General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff are the respondents.

    EFCC, on March 22, arraigned Tompolo in absentia over N34billion fraud after he failed to turn up despite being declared wanted. He was said to be “at large”.

    He was charged along with a former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi; Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electricals Limited and Kemi Engozu.

    EFCC, in the 40-count charge before Justice Ibrahim Buba, said they allegedly diverted N34 billion for personal use, adding that the money accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist, said to be owned by Tompolo.

    Before then, Justice Buba had, on January 14, issued a warrant for Tompolo’s arrest. But Tompolo, on January 27, filed an application to set the warrant aside. On February 8, Justice Buba dismissed the application. Tompolo thereafter appealed the ruling on February 18.

    In the fresh application filed through his lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Tompolo is praying the court to declare that Section 221 of the ACJA constitutes a flagrant violation of his fundamental right to fair hearing as guaranteed under Sections 36(1), (4) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution.

    He said the Act “seeks to be an absolute bar to any objection to a criminal charge or information, already filed” against him and others.

    He also wants the court to hold that the AGF and EFCC are not entitled to deploy, use, cite or in any other manner rely on sections 221 and 306 of the ACJA in the prosecution of any criminal charge or information against him and others in any manner that will constitute a flagrant violation of his fundamental right to fair hearing.

    He is seeking an injunction restraining the respondents from filing, prosecuting or further prosecuting any criminal charge or information against him and others, the prosecution of which may constitute a flagrant violation of his fundamental right to fair hearing as guaranteed by sections 36(1), (4) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution and Article VII of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    No date has been fixed for the new case.

    Another charge bordering on stealing, advanced fee fraud and money laundering involving about N22.7billion is still pending against Tompolo before Justice Buba.

    The judge had adjounrned until April 18 for Tompolo’s arraignment on the 22-count charge.

  • Alleged N34b fraud: EFCC arraigns Tompolo in absentia

    Alleged N34b fraud: EFCC arraigns Tompolo in absentia

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Tuesday arraigned a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) at the Federal High Court in Lagos in Lagos in absentia over N34billion fraud.

    He was charged along with a former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi; Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electricals Limited and Kemi Engozu.

    Others are Boloboere Property and Estate Limited, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Limited, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.

    EFCC, in the 40-count charge before Justice Ibrahim Buba, said the suspects allegedly diverted N34 billion for personal use.

    It alleged the money accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist, said to be owned by Tompolo.

    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.

    Count one reads: “That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) now at large, Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, in 2012 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: Conversion of the sums of N601,516.13 and $1,766,428.62, property of NIMASA, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable  under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

    The defendants, who were all present except Tompolo, pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

    Tompolo will be arraigned on another 22-count charge also pending before Justice Buba, who adjourned it until April 18. It borders on stealing, advanced fee fraud and money laundering involving about N22.7billion.

    In the pending charge, Tompolo will face trial along with Akpobolokemi, whose four brothers – Victor, Nobert, Emmanuel and Clement – said to be at large, were said to have aided the suspects to commit the fraud.

    They were accused of converting various sums running into over N22.7billion stolen from NIMASA to their personal use between December 12, 2014 and April 10, 2015.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba had, on February 8, directed security agencies to arrest Tompolo and held that the warrant of arrest issued for his arrest still subsists.

    Tompolo’s lead counsel, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), had sought to set aside the warrant of arrest, but the judge dismissed the application and re-issued a fresh warrant for Tompolo’s arrest.

    The judge subsequently granted EFCC’s application empowering it to seize all Tompolo’s traceable assets pending his arrest or appearance in court for arraignment. The properties will be auctioned after three months beginning from February 19 when the order was made should Tompolo refuse to turn up, the judge ordered.

    Tompolo appealed the order for his arrest and prayed the appellate court to order the transfer of his case from Justice Buba to another judge.

    His lawyers are urging the Court of Appeal to set aside the warrant of arrest on the basis that Justice Buba erred in law in refusing to nullify it.

    EFCC lawyer Festus Keyamo told reporters yesterday that Tompolo would stand trial whenever he is arrested. He said security agencies are on his trail.

    “It is the duty of the security forces and‎ they are still making efforts to get him. He’s on the run and he cannot continue to be on the run for ever. We will get him,” Keyamo said.

    The other defendants’ lawyers urged Justice Buba to grant them bail in the most liberal terms. Keyamo said since some of the accused persons were already on bail in another charge before the court, they should be granted bail on conditions that would ensure their attendance in court.

    Justice Buba, therefore, granted the defendants N50 million bail with one reliable surety in like sum. Enisuoh‎ was granted bail for N10million with one surety.

    “The defendants who are already on bail are to perfect their bail conditions within 24 hours or be remanded in prison. Those appearing before me for the first time should perfect their bail conditions today or be remanded in prison,” Justice Buba ruled.

    He adjourned until May 23, 24, 25, and 26 for trial.

     

  • Tompolo serves EFCC with appeal records

    Tompolo serves EFCC with appeal records

    Counsel to a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Tuesday said his client has served the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with his record of appeal.

    He said the commission’s response to the appeal is being awaited.

    Tompolo filed his appellant’s brief of argument on March 11 against the order of the Federal High Court for his arrest made on January 14.

    Tompolo had on January 27 filed an application to set the warrant of arrest aside, but Justice Ibrahim Buba dismissed it.

    Adegboruwa, in a statement, said in demonstration of Tompolo’s desire to have the appeal heard and determined expeditiously, he compiled and forwarded the record of appeal to the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division on March 3.

    “The prosecutor, that is the EFCC, has been duly served with the said record of appeal,” the lawyer said.

    He added: “In further demonstration of his commitment to the rule of law and due process, Tompolo filed his Appellant’s Brief of Argument, through the law firms of Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa on March 11, 2016, thus activating the judicial process for the prompt and effective determination of the said appeal.

    “The consequence of this in law is that Tompolo’s case is now before the Court of Appeal, with the concomitant effect that the trial Federal High Court will willingly cede jurisdiction over Tompolo’s case to the Court of Appeal since the appeal has now been entered, while Tompolo and his team of lawyers await the response of the EFCC to file their respondent’s brief so that the appeal can proceed to hearing timeously.”

    Tompolo said Justice Buba erred in law in refusing to set aside the warrant of arrest issued against him.

    He said there was no evidence to show that he had been notified of the summons and the criminal charge pending against him.

    Tompolo also complained that the learned judge should have ascertained that the EFCC duly complied with the order for substituted service, by posting the charge at the correct address.

    The appellant stated further that the application leading to the issuance of the warrant of arrest was not competently placed before the court, as the counsel that signed and filed it on EFCC’s behalf failed to affix his stamp and seal on it.

    Tompolo is asking the Court of Appeal to set aside the warrant for his arrest and vacate all subsequent proceedings emanating from the “flawed” process of the criminal charge.

    He is praying that the charge against him be transferred from Justice Buba to another judge of the Federal High Court.

    The case comes up before Justice Buba on March 22.

     

  • I did not threaten to bomb oil facilities  – Tompolo

    I did not threaten to bomb oil facilities  – Tompolo

    Embattled former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo has denied issuing an ultimatum to the Federal Government to withdraw troops from the Niger Delta region.

    He described reports of the purported deadline as handiwork of his enemies who want to see his end.

    A statement by his media aide, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo stated: “It has come to our notice that some mischief makers have made a publication in the name of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, which is trending in the social media, that he has given few days to President Muhammedu Buhari to withdrew military from the Niger Delta region, otherwise he is going to blow up oil pipelines.

    “We wish to state categorically that the said publication is not from Tompolo, rather it is the work of those that have sworn to kill him by all means, but Jehovah God forbid.”

    The statement insisted Tompolo has stated his resolve to toe the path of peace despite his face-off with security operatives.

    He said he  would “not resort to violence or destroy oil facilities because of the issue he is having with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    “No amount of provocation and persecution can make him to destroy the country that he has helped to build in recent time. He will discretionally continue to pursue his course legally.

    “It is his prayer for those that are pushing for his death to have a re-think as he believes fervently in Jehovah God Who sees the heart of every human being, that he has no evil intention against Nigeria or any individual, therefore he will come out stronger in the face of these temptations and trials.”

    [news_box style=”2″ display=”tag” link_target=”_blank” tag=”Tompolo” count=”8″ show_more=”on” show_more_type=”link” header_background=”#d8a131″ header_text_color=”#000000″]