By Lukman Olabiyi
The ongoing trial of wanted Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo and former director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, over alleged fraud of N47.7 billion, yesterday, suffered a set back before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The trial slated for continuation before Justice Ibrahim Buba could not go on has scheduled due to the ill-health of the former NIMASA boss, Akpobolokemi.
Akpolokemi’s counsel, Joseph Nwobike (SAN), who sought for adjournment of the trial, informed the court that his client was not feeling fine, adding that he pleaded with him to manage to appear in court yesterday, so it would be easy to seek for an adjournment on that ground.
The court granted the prayer and adjourned the trial till May 27 .
Tompolo and others were recently docked in absentia before the court on a 22-count charge bordering on fraud, convertion of money and forgery.
Also arraigned in absentia were siblings of the ex-NIMASA director general, namely, Igo, Julius, Stephen, Victor, Norbert, Emmanuel Ebizimo, and Clement.
While those arraigned alongside Akpobolokemi are Kime Engozu, Josephine Otuaga, Rita Uruakpa and seven limited liability companies, namely, Mieka Dive Training Institute LTD/GTE, Oyeinteke Global Network Limited, Wabod Global Resources Limited, Boloboere Properties Estate Limited, Gokaid Marine and Oil and Gas Limited, Muhaabix Global Service Limited and Watershed Associated Resources.
EFCC in charge number FHC/L/C/31c/2016, alleged that the accused persons had, sometime, in 2014, within the jurisdiction of the court with an intent to defraud, conspired among themselves and obtained the total sum of N47,683,464,822 from the federal government.