N34b fraud: Tompolo challenges court’s arrest order

Suspect in the on-going trial of allegation of diversion of money belonging to the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and money laundering, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has filed an application at the Federal High Court, Lagos, before the Honourable Justice Buba, challenging the warrant of arrest that was issued to compel his appearance in court.

In the application filed by his lawyers, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, and made available to The Guardian, Tompolo is seeking among others, an order setting aside the order made by the court on 12th January, 2016 for the issuance of summons to compel his appearance and for substituted service of the processes in this proceeding on him.

Tompolo claimed that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) did not follow due process of law in applying for an order of substituted service of the criminal charge against him and that no service of the charge was effected as directed by the court before the EFCC applied for a warrant of arrest against him.

He claims further that up till now, he has not been served with the criminal charge or any warrant of arrest.

Whereas he is prepared to appear in court and answer to any charge against him, he also maintained that due process of law must be followed and his rights under the law be guaranteed, especially the right to be notified and served with the charges against him.

The bench warrant issued against him was followed by a motion of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which had filed different charges against Tompolo, over allegation of diverting N34 billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency, NIMASA, to personal use and laundering of N22.6 billion.

The application is on notice to the Inspector-General of Police, to the Chief of Army Staff and indeed the Navy, so that overzealous persons do not take advantage of the court process to attempt to trample on his legal rights.