EFCC To Arraign Tompolo,Ex NIMASA DG Over N35.1Bn Fraud

                           
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has said it will arraign former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), and former Director General of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi at the Federal High Court, in Lagos on Thursday.

Both are to be arraigned on a 40 count charge of alleged money laundering, conspiracy, stealing and diversion of funds. Aside Tompolo and Akpobolokemi, four other persons alongside four companies are also to be arraigned according to spokesman of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren
The other accused persons are Kime Engozu, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh while the companies’ names were given as Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electricals Limited, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited, Destre Consult Limited.
“The suspects allegedly diverted the sum of N34 billion which accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist Limited for personal use”, Uwujaren said, adding that the commission had secured an order of the Federal High Court to serve the summon and charge on Tompolo by substituted means as “the suspect has continuously evaded service”.

The order by Justice Ibrahim Buba allows the EFCC to serve the defendant through substituted means by affixing the summons and charge on a conspicuous part of his known address situated at No. 1 Chief Agbanu Street, DDPA Extension Warri, Delta State.

It would be recalled that Tompolo last year failed to honour the invitation by EFCC twice despite the commission’s threat to declare him wanted. He was summoned for questioning over a N13 billion fraud allegation that relates to the land acquired for the establishment of Maritime University in Okerenkoko of Delta State. But he failed to honour the invitation; and the anti graft commission, did not declare him wanted as threatened. The said amount was allegedly paid to Tompolo by NIMASA under the tenure of Akpobolokemi.

Guardian