The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Government Ekpemupolo.

  • I’m not hiding Tompolo – Delta Deputy governor

    I’m not hiding Tompolo – Delta Deputy governor

    Delta State Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro Friday denied reports that he was harbouring in his house the wanted former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo).

    Tompolo is wanted by the security agencies following a warrant issued for his arrest by a Federal High Court in Lagos to face charges for forgery and fraud.

    Rumours soon emerged that Otuaro who is a cousin of Tompolo, was providing a hiding place for him in his official quarters or through state machinery.

    However, the deputy governor in a statement Friday in Asaba dismissed the rumours as “a figment of imagination of detractor.”

    Otuaro also denied a report linking him to alleged N13billion NIMASA fraud for which Tompolo is also being fingered.

  • Court orders seizure of Tompolo’s multi-billion naira property

    Court orders seizure of Tompolo’s multi-billion naira property

    • Boat, dockyard, driving school, houses may be auctioned after three months

    Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the forfeiture of multi-billion naira properties belonging to a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo.

    The judge made this order following Tompolo’s refusal to appear in court over a 40-count charge of money laundering and stealing of about N34 billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    The charges were brought against him and nine others by the Economic and Finanacial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Properties to be forfeited include: a River Crew Change Boat named MUHA – 15; the property known as “Tompolo Dockyard” by the end of Enerhen Road, Effurun, Warri and the property known as “Tompolo Yard”, at the end of Chevron Clinic Road, next to Next Oil, Edjeba, Warri.

    Others are: A Diving School at Kurutie, Escravos River; the property known as “Tompolo House” at Oporaza Town, opposite the Palace and any other property discovered by the EFCC, moveable and immoveable, belonging to Tompolo.

    Justice Buba had on January 14 issued a bench warrant against the Delta State native and ordered his arrest for failing to honour a court summons dated January 12 in respect of the alleged N34bn fraud.

    The nine charged alongside Tompolo are: Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Kime Engozu, Boloboere Ltd, Rex Elem, Destre Ltd, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warrendi Enisuoh.

    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.
    At the resumed hearing of the matter Friday, counsel to EFCC, Festus Keyamo told the court that the warrant of arrest issued by the court has not been excuted despite the “best efforts” of all the security agencies in the country.

    He stated that all the nation’s security agencies were involved in the search of Tompolo but his whereabouts are not known yet.

    Consequently, he sought the leave of court to amend the charge by removing the name of Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo from the charge, so that the trial of other accused persons could commence.

    Keyamo also drew the attention of the court to a Motion Exparte dated February 18, 2016 praying the court for an order authorising EFCC to seize properties belonging to the former militant leader.

    But, virtually all the defence counsels opposed the motion exparte on the grounds that they were not served with copies of the motion.

    Dr. Joseph Nwobike SAN (counsel to the 2nd defendant), Mr. Wale Akoni SAN (counsel to 7th and 8th defendants) along with other defence lawyers argued that it is necessary for them to have copies of the motion exparte in the interest of justice and fairness.

    However, Justice Buba ruled that a motion exparte needs not to be served on parties, adding that the motion is specifically directed to the first accused (Tompolo) who was neither in court nor represented by a lawyer.

    Moving the motion brought pursuant to Sections 80 and 81 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, Keyamo prayed the court to order the forfeiture of properties belonging to Tompolo pending the time he would appear in court.

    He stated that after three months, the court can order the properties to be auctioned if he (Tompolo) did not make himself available in court.

    In his ruling, Justice Buba held that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 empowers the court to seize properties of an accused who refused to face trial.

    The court recalled that even though Tompolo refused to appear in court he briefed his lawyers and through them sought to vacate the order of his arrest.

    Consequently, he ordered forfeiture of properties belonging to Tompolo pending the time he chooses to appear in court.

    The following assets belonging to Tompolo were attached and will be forfeited; Property at No. 1 Chief Agbamu Close DDPA Extension Warri (Effurun), Delta State, among others.

    Justice Buba however refused to attach all the limited liability companies listed by the EFCC until their proof of ownership is revealed to the court.

    The limited liability companies include; Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electrical Limited and Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Limited, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh respectively.

    EFCC had in an affidavit in support of the motion exparte deposed to by one Adah John Adah, a litigation officer in the law firm of Festus Keyamo, stated that Tompolo was invited by the EFCC on several occasions to come and answer to the allegations of fraudulent activities levelled against him which was uncovered during investigation.

    The commission stated that Tompolo was charged before the court to answer to charges levelled against him but he persistently refused and failed to honour the several invitations extended to him.

    He added that the court had on January 12, 2016 issued a warrant of arrest against Tompolo, who absconded and concealed himself from all security forces in the country to frustrate the execution of the warrant of arrest.

    The deponent added that rather than present himself to the court, Tompolo engaged the services of Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, who filed a motion dated January 27, 2016 to set aside the warrant of arrest.

    He added that the said motion was dismissed by the court on February 8, 2016.

    He stated that since the order for the arrest was issued against Tompolo, the combined team of the Nigerian police and the military have been combing the creeks and the entire nation for his arrest, but he continued to abscond and conceal himself.

    He stated that EFCC operatives have carried out investigations and received intelligence report to the effect that the stated properties belong to Tompolo.

    The matter has been adjourned till March 22 for hearing.

  • EFCC seeks court’s order to seize Tompolo’s assets

    EFCC seeks court’s order to seize Tompolo’s assets

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to make an order empowering it to seize all assets belonging to a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo).

    It sought an order authorising it to attach the properties belonging to Tompolo by seizure pending his arrest or appearance in court for arraignment.

    The commission said since the court ordered Tompolo’s arrest, the combined team of the police and the military have been combing the creeks in search of him to no avail.

    The property, as listed by EFCC, include 1, Chief Agbamu Close DDPA Extension Warri (Effurun), Delta State; properties of Mieka Dive Ltd and Mieka Dive Training Institute Ltd at No. 77, Lioth Street, ODPA Ugborikoko, Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, and all properties of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd.

    Others are all properties of Muhaabix Global Services Ltd, a River Crew Change Boat named MUHA – 15, property known as “Tompolo Dockyard” by the end of Enerhen Road, Effurun, Warri, and property known as “Tompolo Yard”, at the end of Chevron Clinic Road, next to Next Oil, Edjeba, Warri.

    The rest are the Diving School at Kurutie, at Escravos River, property known as “Tompolo House” at Oporaza Town, opposite the Palace, as well as any other property discovered by EFCC, moveable and immoveable, belonging to Tompolo.

    The application, filed by EFCC lawyer Festus Keyamo, is dated February 18.

    EFCC said rather than present himself to the court,  Tompolo engaged the services of Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), who sought to quash the order of arrest.

    “Since the order for the arrest of the first accused person (Tompolo), the combined team of the Nigerian police and the military has been combing the creeks and the entire nation for the arrest of the 1st accused person, but he continues to abscond and conceal himself,” EFCC said.

    The commission said its operatives carried out investigation and received intelligence report that the properties belong to Tompolo.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba had on January 14 ordered Tompolo’s arrest. He renewed the order on February 8.

    He later dismissed Tompolo’s application seeking to quash the warrant of arrest.

    EFCC, in the 40-count, said 47-year-old Tompolo is wanted in a case of conspiracy, illegal diversion of N34 billion and N11.9 billion belonging to the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    The money, the prosecution said, accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist Limited.

    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.

    EFCC said since the issuance of the warrant of arrest, Tompolo “has absconded and concealed himself from all security forces in the country to frustrate the execution of the warrant of arrest.”

    The case comes up Friday.

  • I will not wage war against FG – Tompolo 

    I will not wage war against FG – Tompolo 

    * Says he’ll appear in court when he’s ready

    Under fire former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), seems to have backtracked in his face-off with the law, as he has now indicated his preparedness to appear before the court to answer to multibillion naira corruption fraud accusation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He said “I will appear in court at the appropriate time.”

    Tompolo, in a statement early Thursday morning, disclosed that his legal team is finalising moves towards his day in court.
    A statement by Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, Tompolo’s media aide, denied his involvement in the January 15 bombing of oil facilities in Warri.

    He also denied reports credited to his erstwhile colleague and comrade in arms, Mr Africanus Ukpasia that he (Tompolo) is amassing tools to go to war with the Federal Government, stressing that he remained bounded by the terms of his 2009 amnesty deal.

    Ukpasia, who has since fallen out with the former MEND leader, also alleged that Tompolo masterminded the wanton destruction of gas and crude pipelines in Warri area of Delta state.

    Bebenimibo, however, maintained: “Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) has consistently maintained that he has no hand in the recent bombing of oil pipelines in the creeks of Delta State.

    “Let it be known to Nigerians and the entire World that, Tompolo will never wage a war against the Federal Government, as he has sworn in 2009 when he accepted the Presidential amnesty declared by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

    “He has kept faith with Nigeria. He has promised to work with the present administration unconditionally, and he stands by that declaration.

    “He was seriously troubled by the recent pipeline bombing incident, because he has provided security for these pipelines even when the government refused to pay him. And so, he could not have been the one to damage same pipelines.”

    Speaking on allegation that he is acquiring speed boats for war, he said “it is the biggest lie of the year, as the military is also aware of the boats and pick-up vans he purchased in 2011 for the surveillance of oil facilities as he was working hand in hand with the military then.

    “Tompolo is a man of peace and he is poised for the development of the coastal Niger Delta region. He prays that this matter be amicably resolved so that everyone will know that he always put his people above his person gains.”

    He recalled that before the bombing incident, he alerted the public that some aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Bayelsa and Delta States want to destroy National assets, especially oil pipelines in the Delta Niger as a result of the outcome of the 2015 governorship election of Bayelsa State, where the APC lost the election.

    He said the masterminds who carried out the acts are the ones pointing accusing fingers at him to further worsen his case with the APC-led Federal Government.

    “And true to his fears, these set of APC chieftains that joined the party immediately after the presidential election of 2015, were the first people to accuse him of bombing the pipelines to divert public attention.

    “These new APC members who the former chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, described as parasites, also threatened to cause problem in the Niger Delta region if the pipeline surveillance contract in Delta State already awarded to Messers Ocean Marine Solution is not re-awarded to them.

    “This is a clear testimony of their involvement in the bombing of the pipelines. Since then, we all have seen their role in misleading the military and the general public.

    “Now, it could be recalled that this same Africanus Ukparasia threatened Tompolo not to show interest in the elections, as he was a strong supporter of the APC candidate. He killed and maimed fellow Ijaw people because of a governorship election, and now he is the one accusing Tompolo of bombing pipelines.”

  • Full scale war brew in N’Delta as militants attack more facilities

    Full scale war brew in N’Delta as militants attack more facilities

    The Niger Delta region was on the verge of full scale war on Saturday after unrestrained attacks on oil facilities by armed youths believed to be loyalists of leader of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo).

    It was gathered that Saturday’s attacks were carried out in fast boats fitted with General Purpose Machine-gun (GPMG) and several frigates carrying heavily armed youths.

    Residents of the riverside communities said the militants paraded weapons more in numbers and sophistication than those used in previous crisis.

    Oil and gas pipelines in the creeks of Gbaramatu and Ugborodo areas of Warri South West and those in Egbema, North local government areas respectively of Delta state were affected in Saturday’s attacks.

    A source said, “The gas pipeline which from Olero creeks to Escravos were destroyed in the latest attack. Several crude lines were sabotaged while Makaraba, Otunana (Uton-Nana), Abiteye and Dibi flow stations were bomb.

    “The pipeline, which conveys gas from Saghara to Chevron was also destroyed and there are several persons trapped in the communities.

    “The kind of explosives and bombs they used are not like those of before; the effects were felt in several communities as they went off intermittently,” a local source told our reporter.

    The facilities destroyed included those of the Nigerian Gas Company, Chevron NIGERIA Limited and NECONDE among others.

    Our reporter learnt that the attacks could spread to Bayelsa and other states of the region within days, as the perpetrators plan to cripple crude oil production and export.

    There were indications that some operations of CNL were disrupted by the latest attacks.

    The company was forced to airlift its workers on Friday after militants blocked the waterways and restricted movement of transport boats, including Chevron’s Jascon transport boat.

    Although the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta was said to be fully prepared to deal with the onslaughts, the militants operated unhindered for several hours on Saturday.

    It was gathered that the attacks started in the wee hours of Saturday and lasted for several hours.

    “The sheer force of the explosion shook several communities and there were several explosions. There is panic everywhere and the waterways have again been taken over by armed gangs.”

    The Joint Media Campaign Centre Coordinator of the JTF, Col Isa Ado, was incommunicado since the onslaught began; dozens of telephone calls and SMS to his mobile line were answered.

    The incident came after Saturday’s attack on a strategic gas trunk line around Warri River on Friday morning, barely10hours after a Federal High Court ordered the arrest of Tompolo in connection with an ongoing N34billion fraud case at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

    Although Tompolo had disowned the latest insurgence, security sources insisted that he is directly controlling the operation along with some of his close allies and his nephew who reportedly led the destruction of oil facilities in Warri North LGA on Saturday morning.

    At the time of this report, it was gathered that several former militants had returned to the creeks of Warri, in what is believed to be preparation for a major onslaught on oil facilities, security operatives and communities.

    Similarly, it was learnt that bunkers housing sophisticated arms and ammunition are being unearthed and deployed.

    A source said, “Boats are freely moving in and out of (an Ijaw community) with guns and other weapons. Boys are coming in from all over the region and they are being given their assignments and directives.

    “There is a stockpile of arms and petrol and boats are being fueled intermittently. This is not an ordinary operation, it is well planned and there seems to be several options and alternative plans,” one of the sources who fled the town, said.

    Conversely, as the militants are moving into the creeks, panicky inhabitants of the riverside communities, comprising mostly women and children continued the flight for safety in upland communities like Warri, Sapele and Ogbe-Ijoh, among others.

    Some of the fleeing locals were unhappy about their fates, with some lamenting that although they did not benefit from the largess from militancy they are made to face its consequences always.

    “We are tired of running like this always. In 2009, it was because of the killing of soldiers, today it is because of Tompolo and EFCC. We didn’t benefit from the NiIMASA money, there were individuals who got billions, others millions but how much did we get? Nothing! Yet we are the ones who are always the victims,” a middle-aged woman lamented in smattering English.

    Similarly, it was gathered that some Gbaramatu leaders have called Tompolo to caution him about the implications of engaging in a full blown war with federal forces.

    It was gathered that at least 10 very high ranking traditional titleholders have distance themselves from the attacks.

    “Most of our leaders are too afraid to speak out, while others cannot talk because they are benefiting one way or the other,” a youth leader told our reporter on condition that he would not be named.

  • I didn’t blow up pipeline – Tompolo

    I didn’t blow up pipeline – Tompolo

    Government Ekpemupolo (AKA Tompolo) has dissociated himself from the wanton attacks on oil installations in the Warri area of Delta state on Friday.

    Tompolo, who condemned the attacks in a telephone chat with our reporter, did not rule out connection between the destruction and the arrest warrant issued by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

    He said, “I am not responsible for the attack and I condemn it as a dastardly act. I am aware that some persons might want to destroy oil installations and link it with me that was why I said before time that I have nothing to do with it.

    “I could not have gone ahead to carry out such action knowing that every finger will be pointed at me because of my case with the Federal Government,” he added.

    Tompolo, who spoke through Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, his media aide, urged those who carried out the attacks to change their ways.

    He said he was willing to help the Federal Government and relevant security operatives fish out the masterminds of the attacks and bring them to book.

  • Tension in Niger Delta as Tompolo resuscitates MEND

    Tension in Niger Delta as Tompolo resuscitates MEND

    There was concern in military circles in the Niger Delta region on Thursday following the planned meeting of leaders of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

    The meeting, slated for Izon House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, is being convened by MEND leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo.

    A terse invitation, a copy of which was made available to our reporter, reads: “My dearly beloved Commanders and Leaders of various wings of the Movement of the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), I greet you all.

    “It is my pleasure to humbly invite you to a very crucial and urgent meeting as follows:

    Venue: Izon House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

    “Date (of the meeting is) Saturday, July 25th, 2015. Time (is) 2pm Prompt,” concluded the letter, which was signed with Tompolo signing off with his traditional title – Izon Ibe-Ebidouwei of Izon nation.

    Contacted, Tompolo said the meeting was to deliberate on recent developments in Nigeria as well as the fate of the Niger Delta region in the current political dispensation.

    Speaking through his media aide, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, who did not divulge further detail about the meeting, said the MEND leaders would chart a path for the progress of the region.

    However, The Nation gathered that the planned meeting is a source of concern for top military commanders in the region.

    Tompolo, a known supporter of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was the founder of the deadly group that crippled oil production in the region from 2005.

    The Nation gathered that he was placed under security watch following the defeat of Jonathan in the March 28 presidential election.

    The former militant leader had maintained a low profile since after the election and subsequent inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari on May 29.

     

    Also on Tompolo:

    Jonathan okays oil jobs for Tompolo, others

    FG terminates Jonathan’s N21billion contract to Tompolo

    Tompolo, Asari only reacted to North’s threat, says Oritsejafor

    Tompolo: I insist Nigeria’ll break if Jonathan loses