EFCC Invitation: Reasons why EFCC is after Tompolo

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A former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, has debunked media reports that he failed to respond to an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo.

Premium Times reports that Tompolo issued a statement on Saturday, December 12, claiming that the anti-graft agency merely resorted to “self-help” after failing to appear before a court in an earlier case he filed against it.

The ex-militant explained that he went to court after
the commission froze his company’s accounts since August 2015.
“On the 24th of November 2015, I was informed at about 4pm that a letter of invitation had been dropped at my home in Warri, inviting me to EFCC’s office in Lagos by 10am on the 25th of November 2015.

“I responded by a letter from my solicitors, Messrs Jakpa, Edoge & Co. The letter dated 25th of November 2015 was received by one Uduak Ouot, a staff of EFCC on the 3rd of December 2015, after several attempts to deliver. I have proof of delivery from the courier company.

“I was therefore not a little surprised that the EFCC – an otherwise reputable institution – would stoop so low as to lie to Nigerians.

“As my solicitor’s letter indicated I am already in court with the EFCC in Suit No: FHC/W/CS/152/2015. EFCC had been served with the court processes since 20th of October 2015 but they refused to attend court on several occasions, or to file any court papers, only to appear for the first time on 30th November 2015 without filing any court papers. They even asked for the matter to be adjourned to 17th December 2015, the date they are now inviting me to appear before them.

“In fact, EFCC only invited me two months AFTER I sued them. In my solicitor’s letter I informed them that as soon as the court decides one way or another, I would honour their invitation.
“So the attempt to harass me by their reminder of 9th December 2015, which was leaked to the media on the 10th of December 2015 , the same day as it was delivered to my house in Warri is an unnecessary and face saving effort at brinksmanship,” the statement read in part.

Further in the statement, Tompolo wandered how a law-abiding government could declare a man wanted who is in the law courts with them.

“I know why they are after me. It is not the alleged multi-billion naira property transaction. Afterall, it went through due process and was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). And as such if there are any questions to answer, it is the people at the FEC, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Federal Ministry of Lands and Survey, Federal Ministry of Transport, NIMASA, etc who approved the transaction that should be answering such questions.”

According to Tompolo, the real reason why the government is after him is that he refused to join APC and to support its governorship candidate in Bayelsa state.

“We cannot all be in APC. Our people have always believed in the Nigerian project and had always hoped to join hands with this administration to move this project forward, but the conditions being attached are not acceptable. I insist on believing in the Nigerian project unconditionally!

“We will continue to pursue our court case. The threat to declare me wanted is an unnecessary attempt to heat up the polity. I will go about my daily business, usual,” he added.

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