Niger Delta students ask EFCC to quash corruption charges against Tompolo

Scores of students from the Niger Delta embarked on a peaceful
protest to demand the dropping of all corruption charges against
former militant and fugitive, Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias
Tompolo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in
courts.

Tompolo’s travails obviously began after the defeat of his
benefactor and political leader, Dr Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015
presidential election which brought in the current Muhammadu
Buhari-led government.

The students, comprising members of the National Association of
Gbaramatu Students (NAGS) and the Law Students Association of
Nigerian Students, Delta State University (DELSU), formed part of
the protesters demanding Tompolo’s freedom from the charges.

“Tompolo is not guilty, ” “Tompolo is a prominent builder of the
future of youths in Nigeria,” “EFCC must drop all charges against
Tompolo,” “Though politically prosecuted, Tompolo maintains his
support for national security,” were some of the inscriptions on
placards the protesters were armed with.

According to them, Tompolo remains a saviour of some sort to
many students who had hitherto had no access to education.

President of NAGS, Freeborn Abraiye, while addressing
journalists enthused that, “Tompolo is being witch hunted, his
efforts in education of students cannot be overemphasised and his
passion is enormous.

“Tompolo always ensured that youths of the region get
scholarships to study. He is a selfless leader, the charges against
him should be dropped.”

Attorney General of LAWSAN, DELSU, Jonathan Obiri on his part
averred that , “Tompolo has done well. The charges against him are
frivolous and of no effect.

“The government is only witch hunting him, they have no issues
tangible against him. Tompolo is our saviour in the region. He
knows the importance of education and has fought to give it to
us.

“The government is doing little in the development of Niger
Delta, this was even possible because people like Tompolo came out
to challenge the impunity.”

A beneficiary of UK Masters degree, sponsored by Tompolo, Rachel
Briyai, stated that the government should swallow their pride and
quash all the charges against Tompolo, considering the efforts he
has put in the development of the region.

“The charges against Tompolo are frivolous, they should be
dropped, he wants development, he should be encouraged by the
government to do more and not to attack him,” he admonished.

Meanwhile, Media Consultant to Tompolo, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo,
attended to the protesters, called on the government to heed the
calls of the students.

He also contended that Tompolo was innocent of the charges, that
the issue was a purel political witch-hunt.

Bebenimibo added that Tompolo was always ready to support
students’ educational pursuits, adding seven students would be
traveling in January to commence their Masters degree courtesy of
Tompolo.

It will be recalled that Tomopolo has gone into hiding following
a Lagos high court warrant of arrest issued on him over his alleged
involvement in monies running into billions of naira used to
purchase lands for the establishment of the Maritime University,
Okerenkoko described as outrageous and other charges.

Scores of students from the Niger Delta embarked on a peaceful
protest to demand the dropping of all corruption charges against
former militant and fugitive, Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias
Tompolo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in
courts.

Tompolo’s travails obviously began after the defeat of his
benefactor and political leader, Dr Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015
presidential election which brought in the current Muhammadu
Buhari-led government.

The students, comprising members of the National Association of
Gbaramatu Students (NAGS) and the Law Students Association of
Nigerian Students, Delta State University (DELSU), formed part of
the protesters demanding Tompolo’s freedom from the charges.

“Tompolo is not guilty, ” “Tompolo is a prominent builder of the
future of youths in Nigeria,” “EFCC must drop all charges against
Tompolo,” “Though politically prosecuted, Tompolo maintains his
support for national security,” were some of the inscriptions on
placards the protesters were armed with.

According to them, Tompolo remains a saviour of some sort to
many students who had hitherto had no access to education.

President of NAGS, Freeborn Abraiye, while addressing
journalists enthused that, “Tompolo is being witch hunted, his
efforts in education of students cannot be overemphasised and his
passion is enormous.

“Tompolo always ensured that youths of the region get
scholarships to study. He is a selfless leader, the charges against
him should be dropped.”

Attorney General of LAWSAN, DELSU, Jonathan Obiri on his part
averred that , “Tompolo has done well. The charges against him are
frivolous and of no effect.

“The government is only witch hunting him, they have no issues
tangible against him. Tompolo is our saviour in the region. He
knows the importance of education and has fought to give it to
us.

“The government is doing little in the development of Niger
Delta, this was even possible because people like Tompolo came out
to challenge the impunity.”

A beneficiary of UK Masters degree, sponsored by Tompolo, Rachel
Briyai, stated that the government should swallow their pride and
quash all the charges against Tompolo, considering the efforts he
has put in the development of the region.

“The charges against Tompolo are frivolous, they should be
dropped, he wants development, he should be encouraged by the
government to do more and not to attack him,” he admonished.

Meanwhile, Media Consultant to Tompolo, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo,
attended to the protesters, called on the government to heed the
calls of the students.

He also contended that Tompolo was innocent of the charges, that
the issue was a purel political witch-hunt.

Bebenimibo added that Tompolo was always ready to support
students’ educational pursuits, adding seven students would be
traveling in January to commence their Masters degree courtesy of
Tompolo.

It will be recalled that Tomopolo has gone into hiding following
a Lagos high court warrant of arrest issued on him over his alleged
involvement in monies running into billions of naira used to
purchase lands for the establishment of the Maritime University,
Okerenkoko described as outrageous and other charges.