Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today 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 – Kime Engozu, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu, and Captain Warredi Enisuoh, alongside four companies are also to be arraigned.
The companies are Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electricals Limited, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited, Destre Consult Limited.
The suspects allegedly diverted 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 summon and charge on Tompolo by substituted means as the suspect has continuously evaded the 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.
The commission had earlier invited him for questioning with a threat to declare him wanted if he failed to appear at its Lagos office, an invitation he had since refused to honour claiming he was already in court against the anti-corruption agency.
When prodded on the consequences of Olisah Metuh, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman’s alleged tearing and attempt to chew and swallow his witness statement, Uwujaren said: “I will not speak on that matter.”
The embattled spokesperson of the opposition party was reported to have tore a statement he voluntarily made to the EFCC, on allegations of collecting the sum of N400 million from the previous administration to execute some projects.
