Fraud: Tompolo indicates preparedness to appear before court

– Tompolo has indicated his preparedness to appear in court
– The former militant said he will appear at the appropriate time
– He said he will never wage against the federal government




It seems former militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) is ready to appear before the court to answer to questions over his involvement in the alleged N34 billion Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) fraud.
In a statement issued this morning, Tompolo disclosed that his legal team is finalising moves towards his day in court, The Nation report.
“I will appear in court at the appropriate time,” he said.
Tompolo’s media aide, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo denied reports that the former militant had a hand in the January 15 bombing of oil pipelines in Warri.
“Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) has consistently maintained that he has no hand in the recent bombing of oil pipelines in the creeks of Delta State.
“Let it be known to Nigerians and the entire World that, Tompolo will never wage a war against the Federal Government, as he has sworn in 2009 when he accepted the Presidential amnesty declared by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua,” he said.
According to him, Tompolo was greatly disturbed about the recent pipeline bombing incident because he has provided security for the pipelines even when the government refused to pay him.
On allegations that he was acquiring speed boats for war, Bebenimibo said it was a big lie, adding that the military was aware of boats and pick-up vans purchased by Tompolo in 2011 for the surveillance of oil facilities.
He stressed that Tompolo was a man of peace who remained bounded by the terms of his 2009 amnesty deal.
Bebenimibo recalled that Tompolo had alerted the public that some aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Bayelsa and Delta states were planning to destroy National assets, especially oil pipelines in the Delta Niger as a result of the outcome of the 2015 governorship election of Bayelsa State, where the PDP won.
According to him, those who carried out the acts were the same people pointing accusing fingers to further worsen his case with the APC-led federal government.
Tompolo is being arraigned in connection with a multi-billion Naira fraud involving a land deal with the federal government. A 40-count charge of alleged N13bn fraud was levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ijaw elders said that they cannot hand over Tompolo to the federal government because they don’t know where he is.
A group of former federal lawmakers from the south south yesterday, January 27, advised the former militant leader to surrender to the federal government and face the charges against him in court.