Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday froze a bank account allegedly belonging to a wanted ex-militant, Government Ekemupolo, otherwise known as Tompolo.
It was learnt on Tuesday that the anti-graft agency found N3bn in the account and had frozen it pending the outcome of court processes.
An operative of the anti-graft agency, who spoke to one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity, said, “During investigations into the fraud at NIMASA (Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency), we traced about N3bn to a bank account, which is owned by Tompolo.
“The account has since been frozen in accordance with Section 34 (1) of the EFCC Act 2004 which empowers the commission to freeze any account suspected of being used for financial crimes.”
The source explained that the section stipulates that the chairman of the commission or any officer authorised by him might, if satisfied that the money in the account of a person was made through the commission of an offence under the Act or any enactment specified under Section 6(2) (a)-(f) of the Act, apply for the court exparte for power to issue or instruct a bank examiner or such other appropriate authority to freeze the account.
Tompolo, who has been on the run since February, was arraigned in absentia alongside a former Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, and the latter’s six brothers on April 18, 2016, for an alleged N47.7bn fraud.
The anti-graft agency had arraigned the suspects before a Federal High Court in Lagos on 22 counts bordering on fraud, conversion of money and forgery.
The EFCC, in charge number FHC/L/C/31c/2016, alleged that the accused persons had sometime in 2014, within the jurisdiction of the court, with an intent to defraud, conspired among themselves and obtained the total sum of N47,683,464,822 from the Federal Government.
The accused persons were also alleged to have, between May 6, 2014, and December 2, 2014, forged and uttered a Certificate of Customary Rights of Occupancy of the old Bendel State of Nigeria, and purportedly issued same to NIMASA, claiming that it was issued by the Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, to the prejudice of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
They were also alleged to have received sum of N11,900,000,000 from the Federal Government, by falsely pretending that all the land and its appurtenances lying and situated at Mieka Diva Training Institute, Kurutie, Warri South LGA, Delta State, be acquired by the NIMASA, for the temporary campus of Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Warri South. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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This is a high level financial recklessness.
ReplyDeleteWhen this guy is pushed to the wall, he will embarrass the Nigerian government. His land was bidder for and officially approved for purchase and same was purchased by the federal government, end of matter. The fact he worked for the pdp during the last elections should not be enough reason to hound him. This guy has the capacity to hurt nigeria and her Fulani leaders. This government is acting childishly and greedily by going after anyone with money. Amaechi can easily given them a trillion without breaking a sweat. A word is enough for the wise although there is proof that the president is deaf.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how someone like u reasons.
Delete#3B was traced to one of d many accounts of someone without a definite means of livelihood except thuggery and proxy and such was frozen because it's d common wealth dat was stolen and u are here talking trash.
Well tell him and some of his cohort to test d federal might, am only pained bcos it's d innocent law abiding citizens dat will be affected by any coercive power use by govt.
Calling Nigeria president deaf is an act of brain damaged u are currently suffering from.
Ride on Mr President
In your own opinion because someone has been a thug, he is above the law and must be feared and worshipped by a whole country? You can't be this daft! No single individual is greater than Nigeria! Not even Buhari! Buhari is only in the lead and representing the voices of all. How can you be comparing Nigeria to a common thug and a thief. He can continue fighting in the creeks for as long as he takes and destroying pipe lines, one day, the long hand of Nigeria will catch up with him.
DeleteThey were fighting for ND indeed. Common criminals! All they did eas enrich their pockets.
ReplyDeleteNO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW,
ReplyDeleteTompolo is not above the law, if he have the means let him fight back. period
How did this goon come about 4 billion naira????
ReplyDeleteanyway he's a warlord and the US and british have given new orders that he's captured.................
This guy owns the niger delta Avengers. NDA , he will surely fight back at EFCC ,FGN ... Am afraid they are going to strike deadly SOON..
ReplyDeleteSo this dude has this kind of cash...wow am suprised and impressed..he sure knws wht he's doing
ReplyDeleteTompolo aka the Government...now I knw why he's called a government...
ReplyDeleteI think this people really has those missiles they claim only 2 billion can get them up to 5 best navy missiles...so u see.
ReplyDeleteThis dirty government is all about vendetta. Let them not mess with this guy. He knows his onions.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you think he's outta the country because he's on the run, think again. He's on a mission.