Tompolo
The coast is now clear for the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC to seize the properties of resistant Government Ekpemupolo popularly known as Tompolo, as a Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday granted it’s requested to confiscate the properties belonging to the former Niger Delta militant leader. Justice Ibrahim Buba ruled that the anti-graft agency can take over the properties pending when Tompolo will make himself available to answer the charges preferred against him and nine others including Patrick Akpobolokemi, the former director general of NIMASA. The judge added that if Tompolo failed to appear within three months of the order, the Federal government may proceed to auction the said properties.
The properties include a building situated at N0. 1 Agbamu Close DDPA Extension Warri ,Effurun, Delta State,All properties of Mieka Dive Ltd and Mieka Dive Training Institute Ltd situated at No. 77, Lion Street, ODPA Ugborikoko, Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, All properties of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, All properties of Muhaabix Global Services Ltd and A River Crew Change Boat named MUHA – 15. The ruling, however, forbids EFCC to seize some other four companies owned by Tompolo.
EFCC had on Thursday filed an ex-parte motion through Festus Keyamo for the seizure of the said properties, as the former militant leader has resisted arrest and declined to appear before the court for to defend the 40-count charge levelled against him and other persons.
Keyamo described the judgement as one that will be in the interest of justice. “What is unfolding before our very eyes are something that has never been seen in this country for a very long time, where a citizen disparages the order of the court, briefs lawyers to appear for him but refuses to appear, keeps making disparaging statements against the judiciary,” he added.
WhatsApp us