By Okiemute Okpomor High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo has been told to be honest enough to take responsibility for his own predicament and ongoing trial over allegations of fraud against him by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This was disclosed by an Ijaw Ijaw Future Agenda (IFA) in a statement signed by Ebipade Clement, the group Coordinator while reacting to the ex-militant leaders’ letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on how doctors amputated the leg of his father allegedly brutalized and arrest of his associates by the military, the group said Tompolo should be faithful to recall how his past actions and militancy activities may have affected others or resulted to death of many innocent lives.
It could be recalled that Tompolo in the letter had blamed his predicament and ongoing arrest of his associates over the attacks on oil facilities in Gbaramatu by militants on Chief Michael Johnny, a
chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State, and Gbaramatu leader who is also Chairman of Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation.
But Ijaw Future Agenda reminded Tompolo that it was the second time he has been declared wanted by the federal government for crimes he personally committed with the innocent Gbaramatu people always being the victims.
The group noted that the people of Gbaramatu are not happy that whenever Tompolo has personal issues with federal government, they are meant to suffer for what they know nothing about even though they are afraid to speak out, adding, “the people of Gbaramatu kingdom, Ijaw nation and Niger Delta region have not forgotten in a hurry how Tompolo sent Chief Johnny to Okere prison over the controversial Nigerian Maritime University, in Okerenkoko. Chief Johnny never blew up oil facilities, he has not defrauded government or killed any anyone, yet despite his innocence he was sent to Prison without any crime committed”
The group noted further, “we must be reminded that for every decision or action taken, there is always a repercussion, the Court and Delta state government failed to establish their case against Johnny and he was eventually released from Okere prison. It was a sacrifice paid by Johnny for the liberation and development of Gbaramatu kingdom”.
“Chief Johnny was able to defend his innocence, shamed his detractors and has since moved on with his life. All Johnny wanted is the development of Gbaramatu, creating an enabling environment to attract investors to kingdom that would provide employment for the youths.
Therefore, Tompolo being declared wanted over his ongoing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and arrest of his associates has nothing to do with Johnny, “the statement added.
The group said that Tompolo should allow his arrested associates prove their innocence because in the same Gbaramatu the innocent ones are going about with their normal everyday life and activities.
