Court appearance: EFCC takes new measures against Tompolo

– The EFCC has filed an order in court to seize Tompolo’s movable and immovable assets

– Tompolo and nine others are facing a charge of N45.9bn fraud

– The former Niger Delta militant leader is yet to honour invitations by EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is making moves to seize some assets belonging to a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo who is yet to to honour invitations extended to him by the anti-graft agency.

Tompolo and nine others are facing a charge of N45.9bn fraud preferred against them by the EFCC but all efforts to get the militant war lord to appear in court has proved abortive.

READ ALSO: Tompolo moves against EFCC, seeks appeal

A court issued a bench warrant against Tompolo on January 14, 2016, but pending when he will appear to answer charges of fraudulent activities leveled against him the EFCC, the anti-graft agency has applied to a Federal High Court in Lagos for an order to seize some assets belonging to the former Niger Delta militant leader.

According to the Punch, the application dated February 18, 2016 was filed by the EFCC lawyer, Festus Keyamo, pursuant to sections 80 and 81 of the administration of criminal justice act 2015.

Assets owned by Tompolo which the EFCC is intending to seize include: his house located at No. 1, Chief Agbamu Close DDPA Extension Warri (Effurun), Delta State; Mieka Dive Ltd.; Mieka Dive Training Institute Ltd.; Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd.

Others are: Muhaabix Global Services Ltd.; a River Crew Change Boat named MUHA -15; “Tompolo Dockyard,” “Tompolo Yard,” the Diving School at Kurutie, at Escravos River; “Tompolo House” at Oporaza Town, opposite the Palace.

Speaking on Tompolo’s refusal to appear in court, a lawyer from Keyamo’s chambers, Adah Adah, said : “That since the issuance of the warrant of arrest, the 1st accused person has absconded and concealed himself from all security forces in the country to frustrate the execution of the warrant of arrest.

“That rather than present himself to the court, the 1st accused person engaged the services of Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), who filed a motion dated 27th day of January, 2016 to set aside the warrant of arrest. The said motion was dismissed on the 8th day of February, 2016.

READ ALSO: EFCC provides evidence of Rickey Tarfa manipulations, bribes

“That since the order for the arrest of the 1st accused person, the combined team of the Nigeria police and the military have been combing the creeks and the entire nation for the arrest of the 1st accused person, but he continues to abscond and conceal himself.”

Meanwhile, the Cross River state Governor, Ben Ayade has again reiterated the need to address youth restiveness in the Niger Delta region noting that children will always become restive growing up in the present condition of the region.

Receiving the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Sean Hoy in Calabar, Governor Ayade said the crisis and challenges of Niger Delta are unpardonable adding that no development can take place where crisis and tension exist.

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