EFCC opens its case in Tompolo, Akpolobokemi trial

(Nigeria) Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday, opened its case in the ongoing trial of the former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekemupolo (Tompolo) and others over alleged fraud of N47,683,464,822.

Tompolo and others were recently docked in absentia before the Federal High Court in Lagos on a 22-count charge of fraud, conversation of money and forgery.

Also arraigned in absentia were siblings of the immediate past Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Patrick  Akpolobokemi, who was also arraigned before the court.

The Akpolobokemi’s siblings were: Igo Akpolobokemi, Julius, Stephen, Victor, Norbert, Emmanuel Ebizimo, and Clement.

Also arraigned alongside the former NIMASA Director-General were: Kime Engozu, Josephine Otuaga, Rita Uruakpa and seven limited liability companies which include Mieka Dive Training Institute LTD/GTE, Oyeinteke Global Network Limited, Wabod Global Resources Limited, Boloboere Properties Estate Limited, Gokaid Marine and Oil and Gas Limited, Muhaabix Global Service Limited and Watershed Associated Resources.

EFCC, called its first witness, yesterday, Hammed Ghali who is the Investigation Police, IPO, in the charge and also an operative of the commission gave detail of how the fraud was varied out in the agency (NIMASA).

He told the trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba,  how the commission carried out it investigation and obtained various documents which allegedly indicted the accused.

Led in evidence by EFCC's counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Ghali told the court that in 2011, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd (GWVSL) proposed a strategic joint venture partnership with NIMASA, by providing: platforms for effective patrols, electronic surveillance and data, among others.

He told the court that Akpobolokemi allegedly used the partnership to defraud the agency, noting  that all the agreement were allegedly uttered by  the accused in order to perpetrated the fraud.