A former militant leader declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Government Ekpemupolo (also known as Tompolo) has headed to the Court of Appeal seeking to set aside the warrant of arrest issued against him, Premium Times report.
Tompolo, who is also asking that the charges against him be transferred to a different judge, wants the court to vacate the freezing of his properties.
“Meanwhile, his team of solicitors have been instructed to expedite the process of hearing the said appeal, at the earliest possible time,” Ebun Adegboruwa, Mr. Ekpemupolo’s lawyer, said in a statement on Sunday.
“He is a law abiding citizen who is only demanding that the Federal Government should show compliance with the rule of law and due process, in the filing and prosecution of any crime that may be alleged against him.
“The relevant law enforcement agencies are being notified with the details of the appeal, so that they may be well cautioned from taking undue advantage of the criminal charge to wreck havoc upon Gbaramatu kingdom or to harass the family, relatives, friends and well wishers of Tompolo.
Mr. Ekpemupolo and Patrick Akpobolokemi, the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) are accused of a multibillion naira fraud at the agency.
Others charged alongside them are Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Ltd, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Ltd, Gregory Mbonu, and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.
A federal court had, on January 14, issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Ekpemupolo after he shunned an invitation to appear before the court.
On February 8, Justice Ibrahim Buba renewed the arrest warrant and a few days later, the EFCC declared Mr. Ekpemupolo wanted.
At the last court sitting, on February 19, the Commission told Justice Ibrahim Buba that the whereabouts of the ex-militant leader remained unknown.
“We wish to inform the court that the warrant of arrest that this court issued in respect of the first defendant (Mr. Ekpemupolo) has not been executed despite the best efforts of all the security agents in this country,” said Festus Keyamo, lawyer to the EFCC.
“Every security agent in this country is involved in the search for the first defendant. What is unfolding is something that has never been seen before in this country for a very long time.”
With Mr. Ekpemupolo being at large, the EFCC secured an order for substituted service of the witness summons from the judge.
The Commission’s operatives travelled to Warri, Delta State, and pasted the summons at his gate at No.1 Chief Agbamu Close, DDPA Extension, Warri, “as ordered by the court,” according to Mr. Keyamo.
