Nigerian law enforcement agencies have an immediate duty to arrest a former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, and produce him in court, after a judge on Thursday ordered his arrest, a government lawyer charging him for corruption has said.
Judge Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court said‎ an arrest warrant had to be issued after Tompolo failed to respond to invitations to appear before the court.‎
The judge said the process of compelling a defendant to appear before a court is to first serve him a summons.
“When he fails to appear, the other way to compel his compliance is by way of arrest,” said Mr. Buba.
“The court is in the position to order the warrant for the arrest of Mr. Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, and shall be issued forthwith,” he said.
Festus Keyamo, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, said a summons was served on Mr. Ekpemupolo at his home in Warri on Wednesday.
“We obtained an order from this court two days ago and we were able to go to Warri yesterday and pasted at his gate as ordered by the court,” said Mr. Keyamo.


Mr. Keyamo applied, under Section 131 of the Administration of Criminal Justice, 2015, for the issuance of an arrest warrant for Mr. Ekpemupolo.
“The first accused person (Mr. Ekpemupolo) has consistently, even at the point of investigations, spurned all invitations to make statements,” he said.
“He even took out a paid advertisement saying nobody should push him to war. In a country with laws? That’s why we are applying for a warrant for his arrest, to let us know if he’s an outlaw.”
Mr. Keyamo told journalists outside the court room that it would be up to the law enforcement agents to ensure Mr. Ekpemupolo’s presence at the next adjourned date.
“It’s left to the law enforcement agencies to effect his arrest. One individual cannot be bigger than the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
“It’s as simple as that, though it is for them to prove that they are, in fact, in charge of law enforcement in the country.”
Mr. Ekpemupolo and Patrick Akpobolokemi, the former Director‎ General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, are accused of a multibillion naira fraud at the agency.

Others charged alongside the duo are Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Kime Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Ltd, Gregory Mbonu, and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.
Joseph Nwobike, counsel to Patrick Akpobolokemi, the former Director-General of the National Institute for Maritime and Safety Administration (NIMASA), pleaded for more time for Mr. Ekpemupolo to appear before the judge.
“He was served just yesterday and in the interest of justice he may, perhaps, need some time to come to court,‎” said Mr. Nwobike, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Mr. Nwobike urged the judge to use his discretion before issuing the summons.
But the judge argued that a substituted service is not granted when an individual is easily accessible.
‎Six defendants, including Mr. Akpobolokemi who limped into the court room in crutches, were present during Thursday’s proceedings.
Mr. Akpobolokemi, who is also facing two other multibillion naira fraud cases, was bundled into a waiting bus by EFCC operatives last December after he refused to follow them to their office for questioning.


‎His lawyer made a subtle attempt to bring the incident to Mr. Buba’s attention but the judge said he only knew about what transpired in his court room.
Mr. Nwobike said his client was almost detained by the EFCC save for the intervention of Rotimi Williams, another EFCC prosecutor.
“If I had not put my name down, he would not have been released. Whenever they want his (Mr. Akpobolokemi) presence, they can let me know.”
‎The judge told the counsel he could “never” be a surety to an accused person.
“Let us not get the wrong impression that counsel is a surety for an accused person,” he said.
The judge adjourned the matter till February 8.
“I have not remanded anybody. If you are on remand, remain on remand. If you came from home, go back to your ‎home. Make sure you are present on the next adjourned date,” he said.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/196741-tompolo-not-bigger-than-nigeria-he-must-be-arrested-keyamo.html

Its only chkukwudi that believes he cannot be arrested just like how he thought namdi kanu is above the law

ok

My friend shut up.


Tell BUHARI to obey his own court order first, before asking another to obey court order.



Shameless people

I nominate Keyamo to enter creek go arrest Government.


Keyamo go lead first, police and army go follow for back. Abi Police and Army no be persin papa?

APC paid lawyer.

So its now imperative for Tompolo to obey court orders but this partisan charge and bail lawyer kept mute when Buhari and his DSS flagrantly disobeyed court order

I will never vouch for court disobedience but Buhari and his EFCC should be served a dose of their medicine.

alcmene:
APC paid lawyer.

So its now imperative for Tompolo to obey court orders but this partisan kept mute when Buhari and his DSS flagrantly disobeyed court order

I will never vouch for court disobedience but Buhari and his EFCC should be served a dose of their medicine.

This APC people no go kill person. Buhari is bigger than Nigeria. Idol worshippers!

They have lost authority on the matter of court orders, since they were shouting Sai Baba wen he was displaying his ignorance on Television during media chat.

Make dem shout Sai Government.

dtruth3:
My friend shut up.


Tell BUHARI to obey his own court order first, before asking another to obey court order.



Shameless people

its either you are benefiting from the proceeds of corruption or you are pure silly...

I see,ur wondering what is going on is it not this same country tomopolo acquire warship and appoint people into sensitive government positions, that he asked to account for his deeds. Really change has come. his foot soldier has all since deserted him after all he now leave in a house not in the creek tomopolo if you hear ur name come and dance.

TOMPOLO IS NOT BIGGER THAN NIGERIA SAME WAY, BUHARI IS NOT BIGGER THAN NIGERIA. LET BUHARI OBEY COURT ORDERS FIRST. I WAS TAUGHT LEADERSHIP IS BY EXAMPLE. MEANWHILE KEYEAMO CAN LEAD SECURITY AGENCIES TO THE CREEK TO ARREST TOMPOLO. CONFUSED GOVERNMENT

Jeez I'm loving this drama!

Buhari invited this anarchy

waternogetemeny:
I nominate Keyamo to enter creek go arrest Government.


Keyamo go lead first, police and army go follow u for back. Police and Army no be persin papa.

do you want him to be slapped again

Keyamo you need help fast cause you talk without thinking
Disobedience Of Court Orders Has Bear Fruits
When our great president consistently refused to obey court rulings and he even told the world that he is on the right track by disobeying the courts directives.
Many Nigerians clapped their hands and praised our dear president to high heavens for disobeying the laws of the land while some kick against it.
Today, the refusal by the president to obey the constitution that he swore to obey without letting his person interest come in has bear fruit.
The earlier we rush back to constitutionality by obeying our laws the better.
No nobody is above the law

Kenyamo is a fool, Is Buhari bigger than nigeria?

why does the illiterate not obey court orders, just one or two bombs on some flowstations and they will stop yapping their mouth, seems they underate peace in th ND region

I'm sure the EFCC is on its way to arrest Tompolo.Not one living soul is bigger than this entity called Nigeria.

Either Tompolo respect himself or get dragged in the mud with his hands cuffed at the back.

Impunity days are over.

Ecoterrorism:
do you want him to be slapped again

Na ur hand DSS go borrow slap am inside creek. Oya answer ur calling to your nation, o child of destiny. Nigeria need your hand to slap Governmnet in the creeks.

Lol.....Arrest fire! To keyamo and those that will support him on this thread. If you guys won't LEAD THE WAY in arresting tompolo then it shall not be well with you guys and your families.

themilanway:
I'm sure the EFCC is on its way to arrest Tompolo.Not one living soul is bigger than this entity called Nigeria.

Either Tompolo respect himself or get dragged in the mud with his hands cuffed at the back.

Impunity days are over.

The police are waiting for you to lead them into the creeks to arrest Tompolo lol

Buhari would soon know that nobody has a monopoly over disobedience of court orders!!

Imagine the hypocrisy in these people!! Keyamo kept mute when Buhari on live television stated he would not obey court orders and now he has the effrontery to open that his smelling and gutter mouth to talk about Tompolo doing the same.

very soon, Tompolo will be picked up and paraded like the common criminal that he is..

he thinks we are still in the GEJ era where anything goes...

lets see who will blink first....nonsense!!

He is only following the footsteps of his President. Leadership by example.

Nigeria and Militant have new weapons alike, dem wan test am but unfortunately wars are easy to start but hard to end, take a look at syria. Buhari dont listen and has no plans to listen. Therefore he is not qualified to be a leader but a ruler.

This is the 21st century and rulers are fast becoming an extinct species. Buhari should resign and hand over to Osinbajo in the interest of one Nigeria or continue and face ICC. Osinbajo is educated and listens, definitely not a muscle artillery scatter scatter head.

feelamong:
very soon, Tompolo will be picked up and paraded like the common criminal that he is..

he thinks we are still in the GEJ era where anything goes...

lets see who will blink first....nonsense!!

How soon exactly is your very soon? The EFCC has been ranting online since last year!! They should go ahead and fetch him from the creeks.

Kenyamo should first send his children to the creeks to fetch him out...


Come to think of it, nobody is suppose to be greater than the governmentgovernment

IAMLOOSEWEIGHT

No man is bigger than a whole country. That said, inasmuch as I'd like to see Tompolo arraigned for his alleged crimes, the government must use tact in dealing with with this issue and at the same time avoid giving the impression that it is weak. There's too many security challenges already and adding Militants wahala to it now will be overly devastating.

Tompolo laughing

All these thieves should be arrested and sent to kirikiri for at least 10 years with hard labour.

For how long will Tompolo continue to terrorize Nigeria?

Tompolo na name of one yoruba film..
And na theif e b for inside that film


so am not surprise

lol

Ok