(Breaking) Court Orders Arrest of Tompolo

Justice Ibrahim Buba of Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, ordered the arrest of a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Tompolo. It would be recalled, that the judge had yesterday (Wednesday) granted an order to serve a summon and criminal charge on Tompolo, over N12 billion fraud. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had instituted a 40 count charge on Jan. 11, against the former militant alongside nine others, which touches on alleged conversion and theft of over N12 billion. Aside Tompolo, dragged before Justice Buba are: Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Kime Engozu. Boloboere Ltd, Rex Elem, Destre Ltd, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warrendi Enisuoh. Specifically, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo had initiated an exparte motion, asking the court to give an order issuing summons on Tompolo. In his ruling, Justice Buba who granted the order as prayed, declared that, “Upon this motion exparte before this honorable court, it is hereby ordered as follows; that an order is granted to the applicant, issuing a summon to compel the appearance of Government Ekpemupolo before this honorable court. “An order granting leave to the applicant to serve the order and charge no FHC/L/CS/555/2015, on Government Tompolo, by substituted mean by affixing same on a conspicuous part of his known address at No 1 Chief Agbanu Dopa extension Warri. “And for such further order or orders that this honorable court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.” According to the charge, the accused persons were said to have conspired to convert and steal the said sum which is property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). The alleged offenses, offends the provisions of sections 15, 15 (3), 18, and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Amendment Act, 2012.