Barring any last minute changes, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today arraign a former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemukpolo popularly known as Tompolo and former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Apobolokemi before a Federal High Court in Lagos on a 40 count charge of alleged money laundering, conspiracy, stealing and diversion of funds.
According a statement by EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, four other persons and companies are also to be arraigned.
The statement reads: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will on Thursday January 14, arraign Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), and Patrick Akpobolokemi, former director general of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA before a Federal High Court, Lagos on a 40-count charge of alleged money laundering, conspiracy, stealing and diversion of funds.
“Four other persons alongside four companies are also to be arraigned. They are Kime Engozu, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh. The companies are Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electricals Limited, Boloboere Property Estate Limited and Destre Consult Limited. The suspects allegedly diverted the sum of N34billion which accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist Limited for personal use.”
Uwujaren said EFCC has secured an order of the Federal High Court to serve the summon and charge on Tompolo by substituted means “as the suspect has continuously evaded service”.
He said an order by Justice Ibrahim Buba allows the anti-graft agency to serve Tompolo through substituted means “by affixing the summons and charge on a conspicuous part of his known address situated at No. 1 Chief Agbanu Street, DDPA Extension Warri, Delta State”.
Akpobolokemi was first arraigned on December 3, 2015 before Justice before Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Along with nine others, he was accused of conspiracy to convert N3.4billion belonging to NIMASA. The commission said the sum was “derived from stealing.”
The other accused are Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Felix Bob-Nabena, Capt. Warredi Enisuoh, Governor Amechee Juan, Ugo Fredrick, Timi Alari and two companies Al-Kenzo Limited and Peniel Engineering Services Limited.
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