Tompolo arraigned in absentia by EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Tompolo in absentia over N47 billion fraud. Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) a former Niger Delta militant leader together with six brothers of a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi which includes Igo Akpobolokemi, Julius Akpobolokemi, Victor Akpobolokemi, Norbert Akpobolokemi, Emmanuel Akpobolokemi and Clement Akpobolokemi were arraigned on a 22-count charge bordering on N47 billion fraud.

Patrick Akpobolokemi was also arraigned alongside three others, Josephine Otuaga, Rita Uruakpa and Kime Engozu. Companies listed in the charge are Mieka Dive Training Institute Ltd/GTE, Oyeinteke Global Network Ltd, Wabod Global Resources Ltd, Boloboere Properties Estate Ltd, Gokaid Marine Oil and Gas Ltd and Watershed Associated Resources.

The judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, however, admitted the accused persons to bail and allowed Mr. Akpobolokemi and second accused, Mr. Engozu, who had earlier been arraigned before him, to continue with the same bail which was granted to them on March 22. The third and fourth accused Messrs Otuaga and Uruakpa – were granted bail in the sum of N50 million each with one surety in like sum. The judge ordered that the sureties must be resident in Lagos and must own a developed landed property and added that they must swear to an affidavit of means and adjourned further proceedings to May 30.

EFCC alleged that the accused persons conspired to defraud the Federal Government between Dec. 2, 2014 and April 10, 2015. The prosecution alleged that the accused falsely declared that a parcel of land and its appurtenances situated at Mieka Dive Training Institute in Warri, had been acquired by NIMASA. The land was said to be for construction of the temporary campus of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, which declarations were said to be false. EFCC also alleged that sometime in 2014, the accused fraudulently converted the sum of N13 billion belonging to NIMASA to their private use.

The offences contravened the provisions of Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012. The offences also contravened the provisions of Section 1 (b) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud related Offences Act, 2006.