A Federal High Court Division of Lagos dismissed Wednesday all 40 counts bordering on alleged N34 billion fraud filed by the Federal Government against Global West Vessel Specialist Limited , a company linked to a former militant leader of the Niger Delta, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
Mr Ekpemupolo was indicted alongside Patrick Akpolokemi, former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency; Kime Engozu; Rex Elem; Gregory Mbonu; and Warredi Enisuoh.
In the criminal case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in 2015, three other firms – Odimiri Electrical Limited; Boloboere Property and Estate Limited; and Destre Consult Limited – were also defendants.
The ex-militant leader was initially joined as the first defendant in the suit, but after ignoring an order to appear in court, his name was removed from the charge sheet, despite the judge issuing an arrest warrant on him.
Mr Buba upheld the no-case submission of the defendants in his ruling on Wednesday, saying the prosecution “failed to establish a prima facie case” against them.
He has dismissed all the charges and set them free.
In the proceedings, the EFCC had accused the defendants of plotting to steal various amounts in excess of N34bn, which belonged to NIMASA for their personal use.
The EFCC said they acted contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment ) Act, 2012 and were liable to punishment under Section 15 ( 3) of the same Act.
The first count of the amended 40 counts read, “That you, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), Patrick Akpobolokemi and Global West Vessel Specialist Limited in 2012, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: conversion of the sum of N601, 516.13 and $1,766,428.62, property of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, knowing that the said sums were proceeds of stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15 (3) of the same Act.”
The defendants had, during their arraignment four years ago, all pleaded not guilty to the charges.