Tompolo, also known as Government Ekpemupolo
N34 billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), some oil installations were bombed in the Niger Delta. Contrary to his denial of being involved in the unfortunate attacks, he cannot extricate himself from being the mastermind of the attacks because he had warned that he should not be pushed into war shortly after the court ordered his arrest.
The bombing couldn’t have been a mere coincidence after such a long time Nigeria witnessed bombing of oil and gas facilities in the region. Who will believe Tompolo who has been pleading his innocence in the wake of the attacks which is a clear breach of the presidential amnesty pact signed with the former militants? Tompolo wants to pull the wool over the eyes of those he can deceive by saying his enemies who want to pitch him against the Federal Government are behind the bombings of the pipelines in the turf he controls as an erstwhile militant commander. How can pipelines in his community be bombed without his knowledge after he threatened to go to war? Given his usual adversarial disposition, something does not add up here. He is a prime suspect.
By his conduct, Tompolo thinks he is bigger than Nigeria. Before the late President Umaru Yar ‘Adua granted amnesty to Niger Delta militants in October 2009, to allow peace prevail in the region so that oil companies could carry out development projects, Tompolo and his heavily armed foot soldiers had running, bruising battles with the military Joint Task Force (JTF), with collateral damage on both sides. This culminated in the bombing of his Gbaramtu Kingdom in Delta State. It appears the levelling of his kingdom has not taught him any lesson. If not, why would he be courting another trouble with the Federal Government at a time the government is bending over backwards to pacify the restive youths in the region with billions of naira monthly stipend and sponsored training on skill acquisition abroad?
Tompolo exists under illusion that he must always live up to his name, Government, by being an outlaw or a law unto himself, even if it means being an economic saboteur as has been the case with the recent bombing of oil and gas pipelines in the Niger Delta region. A leopard cannot change its spots. Tompolo’s antecedents are well known. This militant commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) also led various guerrilla groups in the Niger Delta which were all up in arms against the degradation of the Niger Delta through oil exploration before they went fully into oil bunkering through which he became stupendously rich and very powerful. MEND also carried out several acts of sabotage by blowing up oil pipelines that significantly reduced daily output of crude oil before the amnesty was broached and granted the militants.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, lead counsel, Festus Keyamo told the court that instead of honouring the invitation to appear before the EFCC, Tompolo in an advertorial threatened to unleash war on the country and acted like a “warlord”. Keyamo then urged the court to issue a bench warrant against Tompolo, adding that he had consistently shunned several invitations by the EFCC. Justice Buba promptly issued the arrest warrant. Because of Tompolo’s absence in court last week, the matter was stalled despite the presence of all the other accused persons including the former Director-General of NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electrical Limited and Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Limited, Mr. Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.
While ordering Tompolo’s arrest Justice Buba said: “In the circumstances, the court is in a position to exercise its discretion to order for the arrest of Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a. Tompolo, to compel his attendance to answer the allegation before the court under Section 131 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2015, and it is thereby ordered that the warrant of arrest of Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a. Tompolo, shall be issued forthwith.” Given his usual utter contempt for constituted authority, it has not yet dawned on Tompolo that a no-nonsense man is now at the helm of affairs in this country. The earlier he comes to terms with that stark reality, the better for him and his foot soldiers.
Peace in the region is peace for all Nigerians. No individual has the right to hold other Nigerians to ransom because of his parochial interest. Activities of militants led to the unprecedented oil theft in the region which has continued unabated and caused further degradation of the environment. He should simply give himself up and clear himself of the allegation, rather than playing the tough guy and sending his men to blow up pipelines. His minders should tell him about the dire consequences of his decision to wage another war against the State.
Mr Ocheyenor wrote from Lagos.
This article expresses the author’s opinion only. The views and opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the view of the Gistogram.
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