EFCC vs Tompolo: Judge orders security agencies to produce Tompolo

Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, directed security agencies in the country to compel the attendance in court of ex-Niger Delta militant, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), charged with N13 billion theft by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Meanwhile, Vanguard gathered that Tompolo may head to the Appeal Court to challenge the court’s ruling.

EFCC had filed a 40-count charge against Tompolo and nine others.

Those charged alongside Tompolo are Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Kime Engozu, Boloboere Ltd, Rex Elem, Destre Ltd, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warrendi Enisuoh.

At yesterday’s hearing in the matter, Tompolo, through his counsel, Mr Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, informed the court of an application filed on January 27, challenging service of the charge based on a defect in the address of service.

He said that the charge was served on Agbanu St, instead of Agbamu St, Warri, Delta State.

Oyetibo added that the residence of the accused in Warri has a black gate but that service was effected on a residence with see-through gate.

The prosecutor, however, opposed the application on the grounds that by the provisions of section 96 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, such an application cannot be adjourned for hearing.

Ruling on the application, Justice Buba dismissed the application and ordered Tompolo’s attendance in court.

The court said, “The entire gamut of this application is for the court to set aside the order granting substituted service of the charge. The first defendant missed the point completely. The law is that any body like the EFCC has the power to arrest anyone if it has reasonable belief that such person has committed an offence.

“On January 12 when the application for substituted service was moved, one of the averment was that the applicant was invited by the EFCC to answer to some allegations, but up till today he has not deemed it fit to honour the invitation.

“It is very clear that the order for substituted service is more than justified against a man who has refused to honour lawful invitation by the EFCC.

“The order for arrest still subsists. All authorities in Nigeria are hereby further ordered to ensure that the order of this court for the arrest of Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) is carried out to the latter.”

cc:lalasticlala
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/02/efcc-vs-tompolo-judge-orders-security-agencies-to-produce-tompolo/

Bubu retract ur Efcc from D's man bfr it's tu late.

The Inability of 'Nigeriens'Security to produce Tompolo today shows their incompetence.

They won't to tame the Niger delta,so as to ensure the stability of this tytnaical dictator president bubu.

If tomopolo can't be touch let him come out ..... Lol remember some of his people saying he can't be touch

The **** north is never perturbed that they are taking from the properous south to build the parasitic north,they want to also mak lame the Faces of the Niger delta struggle.

Yes he is guilty,whose money is in question here,Our oil money,truth is its very anoying when those northern mallams tink the money eaten is their countries money,hence they feel like they must get it back.

Buhari,Magu yes Tompolo ate the money and didn't build anytin,its our money cos that money he ate wasnt got wasn't from sale of groundnut, or Cocoa,it WS gotten from sale of Precious crude oil.

Nigerian Army will Neva C Government Ekpemupolo A.K.A.take note of my words.

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F

My thinking: is Tompolo the problem of Nigeria?
Will his arrest better the standard of living?
The chibock girls have not been found yet
We have Boko Haram ravaging the North,
Instead of concentrating on wiping them out
Or issue warrant of arrest of book haram leader

We are here chasing tompolo
This corruption fight is certainly a witch hunting of other tribes