Tompolo Moves Against EFCC, Seeks Appeal

Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tomopolo, a former militant leader who has refused to appear before a Federal High court to answer his charges is trying to play a fast one on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The embattledex-warlord on February 16 appealed to a federal high court, sitting in Lagos state, to give him a copy of the ruling of February 8, 2016 in the charge filed against him by the EFCC, to allow him appeal against same, Vanguard reports. One of the counsels to the ex-militant leader, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has reportedly been visiting the court to get the ruling, but to no avail. Adegboruwa, yesterday made an oral appeal to Justice Ibrahim Buba, conveying his frustrations in respect of the ruling.

The defence counsel told the court that it was pertinent to appeal to the judge to intervene because of the limited time Tompolo has to exercise his right of appeal. Responding to the defence counsel request, Justice Bubu said the court’s ruling was only delivered on February 8, 2016, adding that he had accumulated judgments and rulings to deliver.

Justice Buba told Adegboruwa, that a lawyer from his firm had been frequent in the court since February 8, 2016 over same request. The judge said the ruling was being typed, but assured Adegboruwa that it would be ready today (Tuesday) for him to pick up.

The EFCC on February 11 declared Tompolo wanted after he failed to show up in court to answer his charges. The anti-graft agency recently revealed that the former militant leader was declared wanted for illegal diversion of N11.9 billion ($60 million) belonging to NIMASA.

The Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, on Friday February 12 during a tour of the Ekiti state police command disclosed that detectives are on the trail of the former Niger Delta militant leader following an arrest warrant issued by the court against him. Arase said: “We are looking for Tompolo and my men are on his trail. We will arrest him anywhere we sight him.” Tompolo and the immediate past director-general of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, as well as others are slammed with a 40 count charge of fraudulent activities.