Alleged N34bn theft by EFCC on Tompolo, Akpobolokemi, 8 others

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has moved to recover a whooping sum of N34 billion allegedly stolen by an ex-militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), and the former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi and nine others.

The said huge amount is said to have been the sum realised from a Private Public Partnership, which the former NIMASA DG entered into with a company, Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, said to be owned by Tompolo and others.

After initially arresting and detaining Akpobolokemi, EFCC has formally approached a Federal High Court to press 40 count charges against Tompolo, five other individuals and four companies said to have been used in stealing and diverting the said sum of N34 billion, which accrued to the PPP arrangement.

In all the suspects are being arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos for what EFCC listed as money laundering, conspiracy, stealing and diversion of public funds for their personal use.

A statement released in Abuja on Wednesday by the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, listed the four individuals to be arraigned along with Tompolo and Akpobolokemi as Kime Engozu, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.

According to Wilson, the four companies to be charged along with the others are: Global
West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electricals Limited,
Boloboere Property and Estate Limited and Destre Consult Limited