05 September 2015, Lagos –The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have frozen the bank accounts of two companies reportedly owned by ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Chief Government Ekpompolo, also known and called Tompolo.
The companies, named Mieka Divers Limited and Global West Vessels Limited, are allegedly linked with some fraudulent activities that reportedly occurred in the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) under the watch of its ex-Director General, Dr. Patrick Akpobolokemi.
The head, media unit of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, did not buttress on the issue but confirmed that investigations are ongoing as regards the Akpobolokemi’s tenure at NIMASA.
He said: “I can’t confirm that to you immediately, but what I know is that the matter has been under investigation.”
Meanwhile, the report revealed that a number of private bank accounts, allegedly linked to Akpobolokemi, had also been frozen on the orders of the EFCC.
It was disclosed that the measures taken on the said bank accounts was aimed at checking the illegal movements of large sums of foreign and local currencies across the nation’s borders.
A government official who spoke on condition of anonymity further stated that there was ongoing security surveillance on a number of private and corporate accounts suspected to be linked to slush funds.
Also, the N30 billion fund for the Maritime University and NIMASA Techincal College in Delta state contract allegedly paid to the contractor by the last administration, are said to be trapped at a Yenagoa, Bayelsa state branch of an old generation bank.
The funds are said to be part payment for the construction work on the Maritime University and the NIMASA Technical College, Okoloba, in Delta State.
According to the official, the move by the EFCC was to verify and keep close watch on outflow of funds from the accounts, with the view to ensuring that such funds were used for projects they were meant for.
“For instance, just one individual got about N13 billion from a single transaction with NIMASA. The same individual also collected about $57 million from similar deals from the agency without proper documentation.
“No serious administration would attempt to sweep this type of thing under the carpet. So there must be proper explanations, bearing in mind the security implications of movement of such large sums within the system.”
Meanwhile, the presidency has issued a statement ordering every federal government ministry, parastatal and agencies to begin remitting earnings into a Treasury Single Account (TSA).
*Nation
