THE Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday ordered the arrest of a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo).
The order was sequel to an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its prosecutor, Mr Festus Keyamo, for Tompolo’s failure to appear in court to answer charges filed against him.
The court presided by Justice Ibrahim Buba had, on Tuesday, summoned Tompolo, ordering him to appear yesterday, but the accused failed to turn
up. Keyamo informed the court that based on the order made by the court for substituted service, summons and charge were duly affixed on a conspicuous part of Tompolo’s home at 1, Chief Agbanu DDPA Extension, Warri, Delta State.
He tendered the affidavit attached with the copy of the photograph showing that the former warlord was served through susbtituted means. He urged the court to invoke Section 131 of Administration of Criminal Justice of Nigeria (ACJN) by making an order for issuance of Tompolo’s arrest warrant.
“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 point of investigation, the accused person ignored 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.
But the judge ignored his submission and adjourned till February 8 when all the accused will be arraigned.
In a 40-count criminal charge, filed before the court by the EFCC, in 16 out of the 40-count charge, it was alleged that Tompolo; Akpobolokemi; and Global West Vessel Specialist Limited; Odimiri Electrical Limited; Boloboere Property Estate; Kime Engozu and Simon John Adomene, now at large, between 2012 and April 2014, conspired among themselves to commit offence to wit:Conversion of the sums of $108,708,975.35 and $2,178,320,356 property of NIMASA, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing.
In counts 17 to 38 of the charge, Rex Elem; Gregory Mbonu and Destre Consult Limited allegedly converted N106,892,839.33, property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption
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