Following the continued absence of Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NISAMA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, and eight others over a N35 billion fraud.
The arraignment had been continuously stalled due to the inability of the EFCC to arrest Tompolo.
At the last court sitting last month, counsel to the EFCC, Festus Keyamo, requested for an adjournment to enable him separate the charges, leaving out Ekpemupolo who would face a separate charge when arrested.
In the new charge, Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Limited, Odimiri Electrical Limited, Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Limited, Gregory Mbonu, and Captain Warredi Enisuoh are accused of conspiracy to commit the fraud between 2012 and 2015.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty.
The defendants’ lawyers prayed the court to grant their clients bail “in the most liberal terms.”
Keyamo did not oppose the bail applications.
“Because the accused persons are already on bail in another charge before this court, I pray my Lord to grant them bail in a condition good enough to enable them attend this trial,” Keyamo said.
Justice Ibrahim Buba granted bail to all the defendants, except Enisuoh, in the sum N50 million with “one reliable surety in like sum.”
Enisuoh, who was charged in two out of the 40 counts (totalling N8 million), received a N10 million bail with one surety.
“The defendants who are already on bail are to perfect their bail conditions within 24 hours or be remanded in prison.
“Those appearing before me for the first time should perfect their bail conditions today or be remanded in prison,” Justice Buba said.
The judge adjourned till May 23, 24, 25, and 26 for trial.
The judge also adjourned till April 18 for arraignment, another 22-count charge of fraud involving Tompolo ,Akpobolokemi and about 11 others. Akpobolokemi is also facing four other fraud charges before different judges.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, Keyamo said Tompolo would be charged separately “when we get him.
“It is the duty of the security forces and they are still making efforts to get him. “He’s on the run and he cannot continue to be on the run for ever. We will get him.
A federal court had, on January 14, issued a warrant for the arrest of Tompolo after he shunned an invitation to appear before the EFCC last December.
On February 8, Justice Buba renewed the arrest warrant, paving the way for the EFCC to declare Tompolo wanted.
Two weeks later, Tomopolo, through his lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa, headed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the warrant for his arrest, insisting that it was not competently placed before the court.
The former militant leader also asked the appellate court to transfer the charges against him to a different judge.
On March 11, Tompolo filed his Appellant’s Brief of Argument before the Court of Appeal “in further demonstration of his commitment to the rule of law and due process.
“Tompolo is thus asking the Court of Appeal to set aside the warrant for his arrest and vacate all subsequent proceedings emanating from the flawed process of the criminal charge.”
Thisday….
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