A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Thursday, issued a bench warrant for the arrest on a Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a. "Tompolo".
Justice Ibrahim Buba gave the order at the resumed trial of Tompolo and other accused, over alleged theft and fraudulent conversion of over N12billion belonging to a federal agency - NIMASA.
The judge directed security agents to arrest and produce Tompolo in court on Feb. 8 for arraignment.
According to NAN, the order was sequel to an application by Mr Festus Keyamo, lead counsel to the EFCC,
the prosecuting agency. Keyamo urged the court to grant the order for the arrest of Tompolo following his failure to honour an earlier summons served on him.
He informed the court that its earlier order on January 13, for a substituted service of the charge and summons, were carried out.
He said the summons and charge were affixed on a part of the residence of Tompolo at No 1 Chief Agbanu Dopa extension, Warri, hence the need for the judge to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.
It would be recalled that the EFCC had on January 11 filed a 40-count-charge against Tompolo and nine others bordering on theft and conversion of public fund to their private use.
The co-accused included, a former Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, Kime Engozu, Gregory Mbonu, Rex Elem and Capt. Warrendi Enisuoh.
Others are companies; Global West Vessel, Odimiri Electrical Ltd, Boloboere Ltd. and Destre Ltd.
The defendants were alleged to have "conspired, fraudulently converted and steal" the said sum and property belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria trough NIMASA.
The offences contravene provisions of the Money Laundering Prohibition Amendment Act.
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