A Federal High Court in Lagos presided by Justice Ibrahim Buba has granted an order sought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to summon ex-Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a. Tompolo, to appear before the court to face a 40-count charge of fraudulent conversion of several millions of naira, dollars and property belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, to personal use, Vanguard reports.
Tompolo and the ex-NIMASA Managing Director, Patrick Akpobolokemi were alleged to have converted the sum of one hundred and eight million, seven hundred thousand US dollars ($108.7m) and two billion, two million naira (N2.2), property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), having the knowledge that the said funds were stolen.
According to the EFCC, part of the 40 count charge leveled against Tompolo include conversion of N601, 516.13 and $1, 766, 428.62, property of NIMASA, into private concerns; conversion of NIMASA’s N27,690,113.79 and $17, 491, 378.64, as well as another N27, 690,113.79 and $17, 491, 378.64, belonging to the agency to personal use, an offence contrary to section 15 (1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act 2012 and punishable under section 15(3) of the same Act.
Charged alongside with both men are eight other accused comprising three other individuals and five limited liability companies.
They are listed as follows: Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electrical Limited, Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Ltd, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Ltd, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.
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Published on: January 14, 2016