The EFCC had on Thursday given the repentant militant leader, one week to appear before the Commission on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos or risk being declared wanted.
In a letter from the EFCC, the Commission says it is investigating Tompolo for unclear dealings involving the sale of parcels of land worth about N13bn to the federal government under the last administration.
But in a statement on Saturday, Tompolo refuted reports of his invitation by the EFCC, alleging that he was only being witch-hunted because he bluntly refused to join the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, as well as to support their Governorship candidate in Bayelsa State.
According to him, “On the November 24th 2015, I was informed at about 4 p.m. that a letter of invitation had been dropped at my home in Warri, inviting me to EFCC’s office in Lagos by 10 a.m. on the 25th of November 2015. I responded by a letter from my Solicitors, Messrs. Jakpa, Edoge & Co. The letter dated November 25th 2015 was received by one Uduak Ouot, a staff of EFCC, on the 3rd of December 2015, after several attempts to deliver. I have proof of delivery from the courier company.”
The ex-militant leader said he was surprised that the EFCC, which he described as “an otherwise reputable institution,” lied to Nigerians. He added that his lawyer’s letter “indicated I am already in court with the EFCC in
Suit No: FHC/W/CS/152/2015. EFCC had been served with the court processes since 20th of October 2015 but they refused to attend court on several occasions, or to file any court papers, only to appear for the first time on 30th November 2015 without filing anycourt papers. They even asked for the matter to be adjourned to 17th December 2015, the date they are now inviting me to appear before them.”
Suit No: FHC/W/CS/152/2015. EFCC had been served with the court processes since 20th of October 2015 but they refused to attend court on several occasions, or to file any court papers, only to appear for the first time on 30th November 2015 without filing anycourt papers. They even asked for the matter to be adjourned to 17th December 2015, the date they are now inviting me to appear before them.”
He stated that the anti-corruption agency invited him two months after he had sued them. He said he had informed the EFCC of his readiness to honor their invitation once the court rules on his own suit, adding that the agency seemed bent on harassing him through their “reminder of 9th December 2015,
which was leaked to the media on the 10th of December 2015, the
same day as it was delivered to my house in Warri.”
which was leaked to the media on the 10th of December 2015, the
same day as it was delivered to my house in Warri.”
Tompolo noted that, “As a full blooded Ijaw man and citizen of Nigeria, I have done everything in my power to follow the laws of Nigeria. Since the amnesty declared in 2009 by [the] late President Yar’Adua I have strained myself to ensure that we all live in peace in this country. Those who think they can
push us to war must rethink the necessity of such a war.
push us to war must rethink the necessity of such a war.
“How can a law-abiding Government declare a man wanted who is in the law courts with them?“They froze our business accounts sinceAugust 4th 2015, but we have not quarreled with anybody. We sued them to court, they refused to come to court. Now they are threatening to declare me wanted.
“I know why they are after me. It is not the alleged multi-billion naira property transaction. After all, it went through due process and was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). And as such if there are any questions to answer, it is the people at the FEC, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP),
Federal Ministry of Lands and Survey, Federal Ministry of Transport, NIMASA, etc who approved the transaction that should be answering such questions.
Federal Ministry of Lands and Survey, Federal Ministry of Transport, NIMASA, etc who approved the transaction that should be answering such questions.
“The real reason this All Progressive Congress (APC)-led Government is after me is that I bluntly refused to join APC and to support their Governorship candidate in Bayelsa State. We cannot all be in APC. Our people have always believed in the Nigerian project and had always hoped to join hands with this
administration to move this project forward, but the conditions being attached are not acceptable. I insist on believing in the Nigerian project unconditionally!
administration to move this project forward, but the conditions being attached are not acceptable. I insist on believing in the Nigerian project unconditionally!
“We will continue to pursue our court case. The threat to declare me wanted is an unnecessary attempt to heat up the polity. I will go about my daily business, [as] usual.
“Finally, let me say this: if people can come from Sokoto, Katsina or Lagos to campaign in Bayelsa, why can’t I, a full-blooded Ijaw man, go to my Bayelsa to campaign? I will only add this: let the will of the people of Bayelsa prevail.
Nobody should attempt to force the outcome of the election. We have
kept faith with our promise to Nigeria, we expect no less from this country. So if anyone tells you that Tompolo is on the run, tell him Tompolo is not going anywhere.”
Nobody should attempt to force the outcome of the election. We have
kept faith with our promise to Nigeria, we expect no less from this country. So if anyone tells you that Tompolo is on the run, tell him Tompolo is not going anywhere.”
dailypost reportage.
*Na Tompolo speak all this big grammar?wow.
Anyways i expect to see a pic of him arriving the EFCC office posted Saharareporters on December 17..#5n6Tinz.
Lol. Let the drama begin
ReplyDeleteEfcc
DeleteEmbarrasin themselves since 2003
Very good!
DeleteNa wa o. The man don vex finish.
DeleteGhost land for 13 billions and he's still talking shits!
DeleteThe question is? Where is the land??????
Lying bastard!!!!!!
Well...there you go!
ReplyDeleteI didn't expect anything less than this response. Ijaw people too get mind, nothing scares them.
I truly hope the activities of these EFCC guys would be checked, cos it appears they're beginning to use it as an avenue to witch-hunt people. EFCC stop should call all the parties concerned with respect to the land transaction if they are truly honest about the reason for their investigation. That being said, how can you even summon a person to appear before you when you have a pending case in court? These guys have no regard whatsoever for due process. Will this country ever change when the people at the helm of affairs show brazen disregard for the rule of law? This isn't the first time EFCC has been called out over something like this. Am all out for the fight against corruption, but I hope for peace sake that they don't abandon ship and start intimidating and harrassing 'perceived' enemies of the present govt.
An exception...
DeleteIf Tompolo is serious, he should seek an injunction from the Court restraining EFCC from inviting him to their office pending the outcome of the proceedings in court. Otherwise, he should honour EFCC's invitation. Without an injunction, EFCC's invitation is still within the ambit of the Law.
Off to church.
Apc leave the ijaws alone ohhhh. I schooled in delta state and u know what these guts can do. Please we need peace in Nigeria. Lets not tempt a friendly and sleeping TIGER.
ReplyDeleteApc leave the ijaws alone ohhhh. I schooled in delta state and u know what these guts can do. Please we need peace in Nigeria. Lets not tempt a friendly and sleeping TIGER.
ReplyDeleteHehehe @ na Tompolo speak all this big grammar.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHahahahaha...
ReplyDeleteI laugh!...the desperation in this APC led government is something else...and some people have refused to see that Buhari and APC is not the messiah they seek?,..
Na sit down dey look I dey...
Hey! Housegirl! Go and cook for ur Madam!
DeleteLmao @anon 9:55 abeg that "housegirl" vicarious living gist about this babe na true? Hehehehe. I read it in one post sometime ago, but I just say make I waka pass.
DeleteYep all true. Her husband is the driver and struggles with halitosis.
DeleteLmao @ anon 9:55 "Hey! Housegirl! Go and cook for ur Madam"
DeleteHahahahaha...
ReplyDeleteI laugh!...the desperation in this APC led government is something else...and some people have refused to see that Buhari and APC is not the messiah they seek?,..
Na sit down dey look I dey...
Q,my rant was about you o.
DeleteSee them o. Shey they all rushhed. To criticize the man? Lmao. Let's watch the drama unfold. Tompolo, be a brave man and fight them.
ReplyDeleteNa wa o!
ReplyDeleteYour comment will be visible after approval.
nothing do you tompolo
ReplyDelete#GODWIN™
My sister Stelloo the english fear me too oooo. I no sure say na him speak am.
ReplyDeleteWetin Buhari dey find, he will surely get it, Biafra are there planning hard and these militants are making their own plans, when you want to witch hunt not with lions and tigers, Buhari cant do anything ,he couldn't control Boko haram after all the noise of ending it in two months, I hope he knows who Tompolo is,Rivers and Bayelsa people are never scared or cowards like that tribe known for betraying people.
ReplyDeleteNdi ofe nmmanu abiii
DeleteLol.
DeleteWhich way Naija????
yes na him speak am Stella what do you mean can't an ex militant speak English ehe Stella
ReplyDeleteAsari dokubo dey speak, Ateke tom dey speak too
#GODWIN™
Judging from the kind of grammar u write in ur comments, I am not surprised u think Asari and Tompolo speak good English.
DeleteGet a grip hun.
DeleteNa dem Sabi!
ReplyDeleteDem go soon bend that his mouth...be ducking anyhow.
ReplyDeleteWhen will the EFCC invite the Abachas considering the magnitude of their own loot?
ReplyDeleteGuy collected 13billon naira for a land for the maritime uni, the land in question isn't available, All this happened bcos they thought jonathan will win.now he is politicising the corruption lol
ReplyDeleteShut up you fool have you been to the location in question to see if the school is real or not odeh!!! Nigerians always talk so ignorantly jeez na because mb don cheap nah if not who dash u internet hisssssss
DeleteGhen Ghen!! E don start, the engine of war that has been on sleeping mode is about to be started. Abeg make e happen fast fats so that division go quick happen before December 2016
ReplyDeleteI like his courage.
ReplyDeleteKeep doing you bro.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm
ReplyDeleteWalahi! I love his response,he knowa his right,to hell with EFCC! Idiots!
ReplyDeleteKnows*
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDem invite you for land wey you sell at a ridiculous price to the government, you dey yarn about campaign and refusal to join apc. Loooool Tompolo the dribbler. Just turn up and stop drawing rain wey no go fall.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Tompolo sought an injunction. He merely talked about the having a pending suit against EFCC at the Federal High Court. Filing an action doesn't necessarily necessitate the discontinuance of an action. Injunctions stand on their own & must be sought for, before a court can grant same. That's why in my comment above I corrected myself by saying he Tompolo should seek for an injunction or honour EFCC's invitation.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe a woman gave birth and they did naming ceremony and said that their child's name is Government. I'm just amazed. What kind of name is that?
ReplyDeleteLol...
DeleteWhats amazing u?
DeleteU havnt heard of heineken? Or bournvita?
Tompolo is just being petty, does he think he is talking to kids ?
ReplyDeleteEnd time reply.
ReplyDeleteDumb Nigerians... Soon you will all see the clearer picture
ReplyDeleteI think is high time the stopped inviting people and start working. Every body must not be in APC for Nigeria to work. Not everybody was in PDP for them to steal.
ReplyDeleteSo Tompolo released a statement? Thot he'd have told the EFCC to sod off and call their bluff. Abi fear dey catch am? Lmao.
ReplyDeleteHot Akara we have heard, u are a lawyer
ReplyDelete