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Tag: Tompolo

  • Tompolo: Now, who will bell the cat?

    Tompolo: Now, who will bell the cat?

    It is no longer news that Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the arrest of an ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, for his failure to appear before him on Thursday to answer to 30 counts of alleged N34bn fraud. What many Nigerians are waiting to hear is what will happen next to the ex-Militant, who is known to be a law unto himself in Delta State.

    The EFCC has charged Tompolo and a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Patrick Akpobolokemi, alongside eight others. But while all the other accused, including Akpobolokemi, have been appearing in court with their lawyers, Tompolo has failed to appear, nor did he send a representative.

    The anxiety over the matter stems from the sensual silence that followed the much publicized court order within Police circle. Many have expected the force to gleefully announce its readiness to arrest Tompolo, but till now, nothing has been said.

    That is why observers are asking “who will bell the cat? And when exactly will that be?. We hope our wait for this wouldn’t be a long one given the seriousness attached to the order by Justice Buba.

  • N’Delta attacks plot to frame Tompolo – Ijaw Group

    N’Delta attacks plot to frame Tompolo – Ijaw Group

    Ijaw kinsmen of Government Ekpemupolo (AKA Tompolo) in Warri area of Delta state have accused enemies of the former MEND leader of trying to smear his name by embarking on destruction of oil facilities in Delta state.

    The Warri Ijaw Peace Monitoring Group, in a statement by its chairman, Chief Patrick Bigha, condemned the renewed wanton destruction of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region. It urged the Federal Government to enlist Tompolo’s assistance to fish out the masterminds of the attacks.

    He said, “The government should make peace with Tompolo so that he will be of great help to the government in managing such situations as well as not to allow the matter to lead to resumption of hostilities in the Niger Delta.

    “Mind you,Tompolo is a force to reckon with, in terms of peace building in the Niger Delta region,” the statement added.

    The Ijaw group said they are not happy over the incident, stressing that it looked like a smear campaign against Ekpemupolo, because of his position in the Bayelsa State governorship elections as well as the issue with the EFCC.

    “ It is worthy of note that Tompolo will not embark on such self destructive mission as one that fervently believes in the Nigeria project, and has contributed to peace building and development of Nigeria.”

    It could be recalled that it was this same Tompolo that was protecting oil facilities in the Niger Delta even though he was not paid for doing that,and so could not turn around to be one that is destroying oil facilities.

    “And as he was doing that he stepped on many powerful toes and such people were not and still not happy with him. Therefore such people can carry out this act and point accusing fingers on him because of the present condition he find himself in.

    “There is urgent need for the Federal Government to look inward as some APC chieftains may likely be involved in this incident as some of them have been involved in such acts in the past.”

  • 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.

  • Tompolo: Militants hit major oil/gas pipelines

    Tompolo: Militants hit major oil/gas pipelines

    Chevron Nigeria Limited and other oil companies in the riverside areas of Delta state are shutting down their operations on Saturday after after another wanton destruction of oil facilities crippled a large portion of production.

    It was gathered that the major crude and gas line to the Chevron Tank Farm in Escravos were hit over night by militants in the wake of Government Ekpemupolo’s face-off with the EFCC.

    Although Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) denied responsibility for the earlier attack on Friday morning, source in the area and security operatives believe that he is masterminding the attacks.

    The attack started hours after an arrest order was issued on him by a Federal High Court.

    It was gathered that major assets of Chevron and other indigenous oil firms in the area were hit in the overnight attacks.

    Our reporter learnt that the gas line from Olero creeks to Escravos were hit.

    The main crude line from Makaraba through Otunana, Abiteye and others were also reportedly put out of operation by the hoodlums.

    As at the time of this report on Saturday morning, it could not be ascertained if the fire that erupted at Odidi pipeline after Friday morning attack had been extinguished.

  • Order to arrest Tompolo: Residents flee as armed youths blow up oil facilities in Niger Delta

    Order to arrest Tompolo: Residents flee as armed youths blow up oil facilities in Niger Delta

    Armed youths in Delta State  yesterday  blew up strategic pipelines in the Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta   State  in what some residents feared to be a reaction to the Thursday court order  for the arrest of  ex-militant Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo by security operatives.

    Blown up were several oil installations between Ikpokpo and Odidi flow stations, mostly in Gbaramatu kingdom, just  hours after a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered security operatives to arrest  Ekpemupolo in connection with an alleged N34billion fraud.

    The development sparked fresh tension  in Tompolo’s Gbaramatu sphere  of influence.

    But the ex-war lord denied involvement in the attack .

    “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,” he said.

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

    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.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba issued a bench warrant  for Tompolo’s arrest  after he failed to report in court to face  criminal charges filed against him by the Economic  and Finacial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The explosions started shortly before midnight and raged  till the early hours of yesterday.

    Hundreds of residents of the riverside communities were  fleeing their homes yesterday for fear that fresh  hostilities might break out between militants and soldiers on account of the blowing up of the pipelines.

    Odidi flow stations were said to be on fire at press time.

     Residents of the riverside communities said  smoke filled the air.

    “A trunk line was blown up with suspected (IED) Improvised Explosive Device in the early hours of today and there are report of armed gangs patrolling the waterways,” a reliable security operative said.

    It was gathered that the armed groups started mobilizing as early as 11am on Thursday and commenced the destruction of oil installations in the wee hours of Friday.

    “Several explosions were also heard across the communities in Warri SW as bombs were going off, shots were being fired sporadically. We do not know if anybody was killed, but the shooting was much and it continued for several hours,” a source said.

    It could not be independently ascertained if the incidents  affected oil production activities of the oil companies operating in the area, including Chevron Nigeria Limited and NECONDE, among others.

    Col Isa Ado of the Joint Media Campaign Centre of the Joint Task Force did not respond to  telephone call and was yet to return the call at press time.

    However, it was learnt that transportation to and from oil locations and riverside communities was disrupted.

    A source said: “Boats conveying workers going on time-off could not leave Escravos this morning due to the insecurity in the waterways. There is tension and we are taking precautionary measures to safeguard our staff and contractors,” an oil company  official said.

    No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

    Tompolo’s kinsmen are divided over the latest uprising in their kingdom.

    Gbaramatu leaders, who mostly spoke on condition of anonymity ostensibly due to fear of possible backlash, expressed fears that the attack  could trigger  fresh mayhem on innocent members of the kingdom.

    “EFCC invitation is not a death sentence, if you are invited to and clear your name. Nobody should drag the nation into another avoidable chaos,” one community leader said.

    Chief Michael Johnny, an indigene of Okerenkoko, told our reporter in a telephone conversation that the Gbaramatu people have no grievance with the Federal Government.

    On Friday’s bombing, Johnny said: “I am aware there is tension in the waterways but I don’t think my people are planning for war, so am not worried.”

    Another source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, accused the All Progressive Party-led Federal Government of intimidation.

    “We are solidly behind Tompolo because his case is our case. This is nothing but an attempt to cow him and the Ijaw man can never succumb to intimidation and blackmail. They want to force him to join the APC but he refused that’s why they are after him.”

    Ekpemupolo   who hails from Kurutie community in Gbaramatu had claimed on Thursday that some people  who  are aggrieved by the re-election of Governor Henry Seriake-Dickson of Bayelsa State last weekend were planning to bomb crude oil facilities and pipelines and other facilities in the Niger Delta and  blame same on him

    He asked such people “ not to resort to destruction of national assets, especially crude oil facilities and pipelines and attribute it to me because of my position on the election.”

    Destroying crude oil facilities,he said, would not do the country any good and urged them “to support the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to succeed.”

    Tompolo  alleged  that he was being persecuted for refusing to support the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, in the Bayelsa election.

  • 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.

  • Tompolo: Armed youths blow-up pipeline, oil facilities in Delta

    Tompolo: Armed youths blow-up pipeline, oil facilities in Delta

    Palpable tension gripped Gbaramatu kingdom and other parts of Warri, Delta State and the Niger Delta region on Friday morning after suspected militants blew up strategic pipelines in Warri South West local government area of Delta state.

    Multiple explosions also rocked several oil installations between Ikpokpo and Odidi flow stations, mostly in Gbaramatu kingdom, barely hours after a Federal High Court in Lagos ordered security operatives to arrest Chief Government Ekpemupolo.

    Ekpemupolo, who goes by the alia of Tompolo, is one of the founders of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). He hails from Kurutie community in Gbaramatu.

    It was gathered that the attacks started shortly before midnight and lasted till the early hours of Friday.

    At the time of this report on Friday afternoon, the Nation learnt that residents of the riverside communities are fleeing in anticipation of another bloody operation by the militants and soldiers of the Joint Task Force.

  • Court orders Tompolo’s arrest for alleged N34b fraud

    Court orders Tompolo’s arrest for alleged N34b fraud

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday ordered the arrest of a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Oweize Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo).

    Justice Ibrahim Buba issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to report in court to face criminal charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The judge, on Wednesday, summoned Tompolo, ordering him to appear yesterday, but the accused did not turn up.

    EFCC’s lawyer Festus Keyamo informed the court yesterday that the summons and charge were duly affixed on a conspicuous part of Tompolo’s home at 1, Chief Agbanu DDPA Extension, Warri, Delta State, as ordered by the court.

    He said Tompolo ignored previous invitations by EFCC  and failed to report to make a statement.

    “We were able to go to Warri yesterday (Wednesday) and pasted the processes on his wall. We took photographs of them as ordered by this court,” Keyamo said.

    An affidavit, including picture evidence confirming the substituted service, was tendered before the court.

    “In view of the absence of the first accused (Tompolo) despite being served, may we come under Section 141 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, to apply for a warrant of arrest.

    “Even at the the point of investigation, the accused person spurned invitations to him. Now he has also disobeyed the court. We, therefore, apply under Section 141 so that we can compel his attendance,” Keyamo said.

    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, Destre Consult Limited, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.

    They were in court and represented by counsel. Tompolo was not.

    Akpolokemi’s lawyer Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN) said although he was not representing Tompolo, it would be in the interest of justice if the former militant leader was given more time to attend court having only been served a day earlier.

    “A person served in Warri may need some time to come to court, more so when he is outside jurisdiction,” he said.

    But Keyamo pointed out that before the summons was issued, Tompolo had acted like an “outlaw”.

    “He took an advert and said nobody should push him to the wall. Let us see whether he’s an outlaw or whether he’s within the law,” he said.

    Justice Buba said there was evidence that Tompolo consistently spurned EFCC’s invitations, so he has no option than to order his arrest.

    He said: “The process is to serve him with summons to appear. Where he appears, that is the end of the matter. He will answer the charges. Where he fails to appear in obedience to the summons, the other process is to compel his attendance by way of arrest.

    “There’s an affidavit showing the first defendant was served as ordered by the court. In the circumstance, the court is in a position to exercise his discretion to order the arrest of Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) to compel his attendance to answer the allegations before the court.

    “It is so hereby ordered that the warrant of arrest of Government Oweize Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) shall be issued forthwith.”

    EFCC, in the 40-count charge, said the suspects allegedly diverted N34 billion, which accrued from a public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel   Specialist Limited for personal use.

    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.

    Keyamo told reporters that Tompolo was not above the law, and that no individual is bigger than the country.

    “One person cannot be bigger than the country. It’s for security agencies to prove that they are in charge of law enforcement in the country,” Keyamo said.

    Justice Buba adjourned till February 8.

  • Alleged N34b fraud: Court orders Tompolo’s arrest

    Alleged N34b fraud: Court orders Tompolo’s arrest

    • EFCC: No individual is bigger than Nigeria

    The Federal High Court in Lagos Thursday ordered the arrest of a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Oweize Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo).

    Justice Ibrahim Buba issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to report in court to face criminal charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The judge had, on Wednesday, summoned Tompolo, ordering him to appear Thursday, but the accused did not turn up.

    EFCC’s lawyer Festus Keyamo informed the court that the summons and charge were duly affixed on a conspicuous part of Tompolo’s home at 1, Chief Agbanu DDPA Extension, Warri, Delta State as ordered by the court.

    He said Tompolo ignored previous invitations by EFCC during investigation and failed to report to make a statement.

    “We were able to go to Warri Wednesday and pasted the processes on his wall. We took photographs of them as ordered by this court,” Keyamo said.

    An affidavit, including picture evidence confirming the substituted service, was tendered before the court.

    “In view of the absence of the first accused (Tompolo) despite being served, may we come under Section 141 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 to apply for a warrant of arrest.

    “Even at the the point of investigation, the accused person spurned all invitations to him. Now he has also disobeyed the court. We, therefore, apply under Section 141 so that we can compel his attendance,” Keyamo said.

    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, Destre Consult Limited, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.

    They were all in court and represented by counsel, except Tompolo.

    Akpolokemi’s lawyer, Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN), said though he was not representing Tompolo, it would be in the interest of justice if the former militant leader was given more time to attend to court having only been served with the summons a day earlier.

    “A person served in Warri may need some time to come to court, moreso when he is outside jurisdiction,” he said.

    But Keyamo pointed out that before the summons was issued, Tompolo had acted like an “outlaw”.

    “He took an advert and said nobody should push him to the wall. Let us see whether he’s an outlaw or whether he’s withing the law,” he said.

    Ruling, Justice Buba said there was evidence that Tompolo had consistently spurned EFCC’s invitations, so he has no option than to order his arrest.

    He held: “The process is to serve him with summons to appear. Where he appears, that is the end of the matter. He will answer the charges. Where he fails to appear in obedience to the summons, the other process is to compel his attendance by way of arrest.

    “There’s an affidavit showing the first defendant was served as ordered by the court. In the circumstance, the court is in a position to exercise his discretion to order for the arrest of Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) to compel his attendance to answer the allegations before the court.

    “It is so hereby ordered that the warrant of arrest of Government Oweize Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) shall be issued forthwith.”

    EFCC, in the 40-count charge, said the suspects allegedly diverted N34 billion, which accrued from a public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel   Specialist Limited for personal use.

    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.

    Keyamo told newsmen that Tompolo was not above the law, and that no individual is bigger than the country.

    “One person cannot be bigger than the country. It’s for security agencies to prove that they are in charge of law enforcement in the country,” Keyamo said.

    Justice Buba adjourned till February 8.

     

  • Court summons Tompolo for alleged N34b fraud

    Court summons Tompolo for alleged N34b fraud

    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.

    They had also pleaded not guilty to the charge.