EFCC arraigns Tompolo in absentia

– EFCC charges Patrick Akpobolokemi, others with
conspiracy to commit fraud
– Trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, grants bail to all
accused persons
– Tompolo to be charged separately after he is arrested
Following his failure to appear in court to answer
charges leveled against him, the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday, March
22 arraigned former militant leader, Government
Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) in absentia over alleged
N35 billion fraud.
Tompolo has refused to appear in court to answer
charges leveled against him by the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to Vanguard, Tompolo was arraigned
alongside former boss of Nigerian Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) Patrick
Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Ltd, Odimiri Electrical
Ltd, Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Ltd,
Rex Elem, Destre Consult Ltd, Gregory Mbonu, and
Captain Warredi Enisuoh.
READ ALSO: N754m fraud: Court disappoints ex-
NIMASA boss, others
The accused persons were charges with conspiring to
commit fraud between 2012 and 2015. They all pleaded
not guilty and their lawyers requested the court to grant
them bail.
Trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, granted bail to all the
accused persons but Enisuoh’s bail condition differed
from the rest as he was granted bail in the sum of N50
million with one reliable surety in like sum.
Justice Buba adjourned till May 23, 24, 25 and 26 for
trial.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, counsel
to the EFCC, Festus Keyamo said Tompolo would be
charged separately after he is arrested.
“It is the duty of the security agencies and they are still
making efforts to get him.  He is on the run and he cannot
continue to be on the run for ever. We will get him,” he
said.
READ ALSO: EFCC releases Amosu and others on bail
and seizes passports
Earlier arraignment of the accused persons had been
stalled due to the inability of the EFCC to arrest
Tompolo.
Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court had
ordered the arrest of the former militant leader for his
failure to appear before him to answer 40 counts on an
alleged N45.9bn fraud but all efforts by the nation’s
security agencies to produce the former militant leader
has been unsuccessful.