N34bn Court Acquittal: Otuaro, Peresine Congratulate Tompolo, Commend Judiciary

By Wilson Macaulay

The Leader of the Central Youth Body in Delta State, Hon. Bullet Otuaro alongside Niger Delta playwright, Peresine Watchman, have congratulated Niger Delta freedom fighter, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (A.K.A. Tompolo) on his victory at the Federal High Court, Lagos, over a 40-count charge on alleged N34billion fraud filed by the Federal Government against Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, a company owned by Tompolo.

In a press statement jointly signed by Hon. Bullet Otuaro and Peresine Watchman, which was released to the Daily Independent Newspaper on Sunday, they stated that Tompolo’s acquittal by Justice Ibrahim Buba-led Federal High Court, Lagos, was a victory of a ‘genuine Government’ over a ‘fake government’.

The statement reads: “We are very much happy to congratulate the Living Legend and Freedom Fighter of Niger Delta, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, on his Federal High Court victory over the Federal Government.

“We have been saying since 2015 that the corruption charges against Tompolo, Global West Limited and Dr. Patrick Akpobulokemi were fabricated allegations to witch-hunt them because of their closeness to ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

“We knew that they would be exonerated by the judiciary because they never embezzled public funds, and to the glory of God, they have been discharged and acquitted.

“Now that the Federal High Court has acquitted our great Leader, GOC Tompolo, we advise the Federal Government as a matter of necessity and urgency, to release all Tompolo’s properties which were confiscated by the Federal Government.

“If the Federal Government fails to immediately release the confiscated property of Tompolo, then it will be regarded as oppression to the Izon nation in particular and Niger Delta in general.

“Tompolo who hails from the oil rich Gbaramatu Kingdom in Niger Delta is constitutionally entitled to own a company, oil blocs and be awarded federal contracts to execute in Niger Delta and any part of the country.

“We therefor see no reason the Federal Government would witch-hunt an innocent man who used his influence to bring developmental projects to his people in Gbaramatu Kingdom and Niger Delta during the ex-President Jonathan Administration.

“We still don’t understand why Buhari-led Federal Government started fighting Tompolo immediately President Buhari took oath of office in 2015, instead of focusing on governce to give Nigerians the best.

“Nigerians should see the failure of President Buhari’s administration as a result of fighting innocent Tompolo and other Niger Delta sons/daughters, including Mrs. Patience Jonathan, instead of appreciating God and ex-President Jonathan who gave him the opportunity to become President of Nigeria.

“Nobody can come to government to witch-hunt innocent Tompolo and others and succeed in governce.

“The Federal Government should learn its lessons now and stop thinking of harrassing Tompolo further or appealing the case, because Tompolo will still win the case if the Federal Government fails to adhere to our advice.

“We urge the presidency to humble itself and apologise to Tompolo for the truama it subjected him to, as well as Niger Deltans for the opprobrium it brought to their revered freedom fighter.

“President Buhari’s administration should focus on bringing peace and development to Nigeria, and also look into implementing the 16-point demand of Niger Delta stakeholders to restore total peace…”