The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will on Thursday January 14, arraign Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), and Patrick Akpobolokemi, former director general of Nigeria Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA before a Federal High Court, Lagos on a 40 count charge of alleged money laundering , conspiracy, stealing and diversion of funds.
Four other persons alongside four companies are also to be arraigned. They are Kime Engozu, Rex Elem,
Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh. The companies are Global
West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electricals Limited, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited, Destre Consult Limited.
The suspects allegedly diverted the sum of N34 billion which accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist Limited for personal use.
Meanwhile, the EFCC has secured an order of the Federal High Court to serve the summon and charge on Tompolo by substituted means as the suspect has continuously evaded service.
The order by Justice Ibrahim Buba allows the EFCC to serve the defendant through substituted means by affixing the summons and charge on a conspicuous part of his known address situated at No. 1 Chief Agbanu Street, DDPA Extension Warri, Delta State.
Tangwami, in his capacity as the council boss, used his position to award a number of contracts to companies where he has interests and failed to deliver on the contract terms.
These include: Contracts for supply of cerebrospinal meningitis vaccines awarded in favour of Binam Integrated
Services Ltd; supply of VVF Oral Vaccines for Immunization against typhoid in favor of Nchaloro Nigeria Ltd; supply of 500 units of motorcycles to be distributed to all the Local government Areas in Adamawa State in
favor of Bange Integrated service Ltd; building of a school for technical skill acquisition in Numan in favor of Bange Company Ltd; and the supply of anti-snake venom in favor of Tafari Nigeria Ltd.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.
In view of his plea, counsel to EFCC, Chris Meishelia told the court to fix a date to commence trial.
However, defence counsel, Sule J. Abdul, told the court that he had a pending application for the bail of the accused. He urged the court to admit him to bail adding that, the offence for which he is being charged is bailable.
Justice Joda, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N500million with one surety in like sum.
The surety must be a family man residing within the jurisdiction of the court. He must own a landed property worth
N100million.
The case was adjourned to February 22, 2016 for hearing.
