Former Niger Delta warlord, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, will appear in court at the appropriate time, Paul Bebenimibo, his media adviser and consultant, has said.
Bebenimibo, who said this in a signed statement issued to newsmen on Thursday in Warri, Delta State, said Tompolo’s lawyers were fine tuning ways for his appearance in court.
He debunked rumour that Tompolo had acquired speed boats in preparation for war with the Federal Government, adding that the rumour was the handiwork of mischief makers.
Bebenimibo also refuted claim that his boss bombed pipelines because he had a case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos issued a bench warrant for Tompolo’s arrest on January 14 following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which had filed different charges against him, including diversion of N34 billion belonging to the Nigerian Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to personal use and laundering of N22.6 billion.
Bebenimibo said: “Tompolo has stated in several occasions that he will appear in court at the appropriate time as his lawyers are working towards that.
“He has no reason to bomb pipelines because of his case with the EFCC and he will never wage war against the Federal Government.
“He has sworn in 2009 when he accepted the Presidential Amnesty declared by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and has kept faith with Nigeria.
“He has promised to work with the present administration unconditionally and he stands by that declaration.”
Bebenimibo said the bombing of pipelines was politically motivated.
He alleged that some members of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the region carried out the act.
He said: “Before the incident, Tompolo alerted the public that some aggrieved APC members in Bayelsa and Delta want to destroy national assets.
“Especially oil pipelines in the Delta Niger as a result of the outcome of the 2015 governorship election in Bayelsa.”
The media adviser described Tompolo as “a man of peace committed to the development of the Niger Delta region.”
