23rd December, 2015
Akin Kuponiyi
Nigeria anti-graft agency Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed forty-count criminal charge of unlawful conversion against former leader of Niger-Delta militants, Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo and ex-NIMASA boss Patrick Akpobolokemi.
The duo were alleged to have converted the sum of $108.7 million and N2.2 billion, property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing.
Both were charged before a Federal high court sitting in Lagos, southwest Nigeria.
Charged with them were three other accused persons and five limited liability companies.
The eight other accused to be arraigned alongside the accused ex-leader of Niger Delta militants and ex-NIMASA boss are: Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electricals Limited, Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Ltd, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Ltd, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.
In the 40-count criminal charge number FHC/ L/5539C/15 filed before the court by EFCC prosecutor, Festus Keyamo in sixteen out of the forty-count charge, it was alleged that Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, Patrick Akpobolokemi, and Global West Vessel Specialist ltd, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Boloboere Property Estate, Kime Engozu and Simon John Adomene now at large between year 2012 and April 2014 conspired amongst themselves to commit offence to wit: Conversion of the sum of $108,708,975.35 and N2,178,320,356 property of NIMASA, knowing that the said money was proceeds of stealing.
In count seventeen to count thirty-Eight of the criminal charge, Rex Elem, Gregory Mbonu and Destre Consult Ltd were alleged to have converted the sum of $106.9 million property of Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, knowing that the sum was derived from official corruption.
In count thirty-nine and forty, Captain Warredi Enisuoh was alleged to have converted the sum of N8 million property of Global West Vessel Specialist knowing that the money was derived from official corruption.
The offences alleged to have been committed by all the accused are contrary to and punishable under Money Laundering Act of 2012.
All the accused persons and the companies alleged to have been used as conduit pipe for the conversion of the money will anytime from now be arraigned before the court especially when the principal suspects in the scam are alleged to be at large.
Akpobolokemi is currently standing trial in two different courts of the Federal high court Lagos division.