Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Ex-militant leader in the Niger Delta Region, Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) has dissociated himself from militants’ threats to wreck havoc on more oil facilities in the region.
Media Consultant to Tompolo, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo said in a press statement on Sunday that; “The attention of my client has been drawn to an online publication by a faceless person or persons, that militants have vowed to attack more oil facilities over Tompolo, if Federal Government of Nigeria refused to drop the criminal charges against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)”.
He said Tompolo had nothing to do with the threats,saying that; “High Chief Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) unequivocally dissociates himself from this threat as he did not send anyone to attack oil facilities in the Niger Delta region because of his case with the EFCC. Tompolo has consistently denied involvement in the resurgence and bombing of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region”.
The Media Consultant claimed that;”This online publication is coming two days after one Michael Johnny has accused Tompolo on Channels Television programme,” State of the Nation” of been behind the bombing of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.
Tompolo watched the programme with great disbelief as Michael Johnny accused him of the brain behind the bombings of oil facilities, whereas information at the disposal of security agencies indicates that a suspect in their custody had confessed that Michael Johnny sent him (the suspect) to bomb oil facilities. That means that Michael Johnny is the one behind the bombings of oil facilities in the Niger Delta. Tompolo has instructed his lawyers to sue Michael Johnny for malicious damage”.
According to him;”Tompolo has said in many occasions that he will not resort to violence and bombing of oil facilities because of his case with the EFCC.
Tompolo sued the EFCC for illegally placing non-debit order on his company account in Warri before he was hurriedly dragged to court by the EFCC in Lagos.
And after a year, the court has refused to hear his case for frivolous excuses. And he has vowed to patiently pursue his case rather than resorting to violence and bombing of oil facilities which is greatly affecting our economy”.
“Finally, we wish to warn that no one should use Tompolo’s name to seek relevance in the present administration as such moves will be resisted by any legitimate means”.