Ex-Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo on Thursday, pleaded with journalists to stop stirring Itsekiri people against him, saying he had nothing against the ethnic nationality, as apparent in his visit to its leaders, some time ago.
He also said he was not executing any contract at the $16 Export Processing Zone, EPZ project site as had been severally alleged, but his concern was to protect what rightly belongs to the people of Gbaramatu kingdom, which he said is the Gbaramatu deep seaport.
Tompolo said this in a statement by his media consultant, Paul Bebenimibo, while reacting to recent media report that boys linked to him allegedly shot at JAD Nigeria Limited workers, carrying out a clearing job at the Itsekiri end of the EPZ site.
He said, “It has come to the knowledge of Government Ekpemupolo the use of his name in news stories he knows nothing about in recent times. Such journalists are hereby warned to desist from this wicked practice as it will bring them nothing good but evil.
“The very recent one being a news report that boys loyal to Ekpemupolo allegedly shot at JAD Nigeria Ltd workers, who are carrying out a clearing job at the Itsekiri end of the EPZ site. There is no iota of truth in that story. It is simply mischievous, frivolous and sensational.
“He is aware of the evil tendency of some journalists to incite the Itsekiri against him, and also to sell their newspapers. Let such journalists know that he is at peace with the Itsekiri people which was evident in his visit to leaders of the Itsekiri nation some time ago,” Bebenimibo added.
He claimed that Tompolo had nothing to do in the EPZ site, as he has no contract or job to do at the site.
“This can be confirmed from the owners of the project. The only interest he has in the EPZ project is the protection of what rightly belongs to the people of Gbaramatu Kingdom, and that is Gbaramatu deep seaport, which land belongs to the people of Gbaramatu kingdom, and has been so designated by the Federal Government of Nigeria during the groundbreaking ceremony on March 26, 2015.
“It is the desire of Ekpemupolo to continue to work with journalists in this country, as he advocates for a better living (sic) for them because they are human beings like him.
“Therefore, he will not wish them evil, and so, they should not wish him evil too. It should be stated clearly that if this pattern of journalism is not stopped forthwith, he will be forced to seek redress in any court of competent jurisdiction for defamation of character,” he added.
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