Court Grants Order to EFCC to Seize All Tompolo’s Properties

Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos today authorised the EFCC to seize assets belonging to a Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.

The judge authorised the EFCC to take possession of the assets pending when Tompolo will make himself available to answer the charges of N45.9bn fraud preferred against him and nine others.

The judge said if he fails to appear within the next three months, Government is free to proceed to sell off all Tompolo's properties, both the ones they know present and anyone they discover later.

The known assets of Tompolo which the EFCC was authorised to seize include his house located at No. 1, Chief Agbamu Close DDPA Extension Warri (Effurun), Delta State.

Others are a River Crew Change Boat named MUHA-15; “Tompolo Dockyard,” “Tompolo Yard,” the Diving School at Kurutie, at Escravos River; “Tompolo House” at Oporaza Town, opposite the Palace.

The judge said the EFCC may also seize other assets it may later discover to indeed belong to Tompolo.

At the hearing, Tompolo’s lawyers, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, were both absent.

Speaking, EFCC lawyer, Festus Keyamo said:
“What is unfolding before our very eyes is something that has never been seen in this country for a very long time, where a citizen disparages the order of the court, briefs lawyers to appear for him but refuses to appear, keeps making disparaging statements against the judiciary.”

In his ruling Justice Buba said he found the application to be meritorious. The judge ruled, “This court has no doubt that the application has merit.”

All security agencies have been put on alert to arrest Tompolo whenever and wherever he's sighted.