uttered a Certificate of Customary Rights of Occupance of the old Bendel state of Nigeria, and purportedly issued same to NIMASA, claiming that it was issued by Warri South Local Government Council, Delta State, to the prejudice of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
They were also alleged to have received the synod N11,900,000,00 billion from the Federal government of Nigeria, by falsely pretended that all the land and its appurtenances lying and situated at Mieka Diva Training Institute, Kurutie, Warri South LGA, Delta state, be acquired by the NIMASA for the temporary campus of Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Warri south, LGA, is from encumbrance.
The offenses according to EFCC prosecutors, Mr. Festus Keyamo and Rotimi Oyedepo, are contrary to sections 8, 1(b) of Advance Fee Fraud, 18 (a), 15 (1) of money Laundering Prohibition Amendment Act, 2012, and punishable under section 1 (3), 15(3) of the same Act, and 1(2)(c) Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the federation 2004. All the accused people pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The plea of accused people, their lawyers which include Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN, Mr. inaji E. U., and Mr. Oyesoji Oyeleke, urged the court to admit them to bail in liberal term. Nwobike, SAN, and Inaji, particularly pleaded with the court to allow their clients, Akpolobokemi and Kime Engozu to continue with the bail terms granted them in other criminal charges they have before the court.
Ruling on the bail application, the presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, while conceded to the request of Nwobike, SAN, and Mr. Inaji, however admitted bail to Josephine Otuaga, Rita Uruakpa in the sum of N50 million with one surety each. The surety according to Justice Buba, must must show evidence of landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, and sworn to affidavit of means, while the two accused persons be remanded at EFCC custody, pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
The matter has been adjourned till May 30 and 31 for trial. The formal arraignment of Tompolo has been continuously stalled due to the inability of the EFCC to arrest him. The EFCC in a 40-count charge before the court, argued that Tompolo and others allegedly diverted N34 billion for personal use.
The agency further insisted that the said sum accrued from the public-private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist said to be owned by Tompolo.
