The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday filed an exparte motion at the Federal High Court in Lagos for the seizure of assets of ex Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
In the motion filed on behalf of the anti graft agency by Festus Keyamo, the EFCC is seeking the court’s permission to seize assets owned by Tompolo and his companies, including buildings, boat, dockyard and driving school until his appearance before the court or his arrest.
Tompolo was declared wanted last week by the EFCC after two arrest warrants were issued against him by the court, following his refusal to honour invitations by the commission.
Tompolo, along with former director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, and others are being tried at the Lagos court on a 40 count charge of money laundering, stealing and diversion of N34 billion.
On February 8, the EFCC told the court that it had filed a fresh 21- count charge against Tompolo and Akpobolokemi for conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N35 billion.
An affidavit in support of the motion to seize Tomolo’s assets, deposed by Adah John Adah of Festus Keyamo Chambers, stated that he had repeatedly refused to honour invitations by the EFCC to answer questions regarding its investigations, that he has also failed to appear to face charges brought against him in the court leading to an order for his arrest, and that the police and other security agencies in the country had combed the creeks of the Niger Delta for him without success.
The property the EFCC is asking the court’s permission to seize are listed below:
- Property at No. 1 Chief Agbamu Close DDPA Extension Warri (Effurun), Delta State.
- All properties of Mieka Dive Ltd and Mieka Dive Training Institute Ltd situated at No. 77, Lioth Street, ODPA Ugborikoko, Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State.
- All properties of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd.
- All properties of Muhaabix Global Services Ltd
- A River Crew Change Boat named MUHA – 15
- The property known as “Tompolo Dockyard”, by the end of Enerhen Road, Effurun, Warri.
- The property known as “Tompolo Yard”, at the end of Chevron Clinic Road, next to Next Oil, Edjeba, Warri.
- The Diving School at Kurutie, at Escravos River.
- The property known as “Tompolo House” at Oporaza Town opposite the Palace.
- Any other property discovered by the Economic And Financial Crime Commission, moveable and immoveable, belonging to the 1st Accused person