Delta Deputy Governor Denies Providing Cover For Tompolo

SAN FRANCISCO, February 19, (THEWILL) – The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro has denied allegations that he is providing cover for the former General Officer Commanding, GOC, of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, accusing his detractors of being behind such media report.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had taken a newspaper advertorial to Tompolo wanted. This followed two bench warrants issued against him by a Federal High Court in Lagos, where he has been charged with N45.9bn fraud.

As a result of his continued failure to appear in court to face trial on the charges preferred against him, the anti-graft agency on Thursday brought an ex-parte application before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos seeking an order to seize all property belonging to former Niger Delta militant leader, pending his arrest and arraignment before the court.

The Delta Deputy Governor, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Communication and Press, Mr Bulou Kosin in Asaba on Friday, said, “The attention of the Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, has been drawn to allegation that he is harbouring High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, for who a bench warrant has been issued by a Federal High Court in Lagos for his arrest.

“The Deputy Governor denies harbouring Tompolo. The allegation is figment of the imagination of detractors.

“On the allegation that he is complicit on the alleged N13billion fraud, the Deputy Governor, Barr. Otuaro, wishes to state that the matter is subjudice as same is before a court of law. The media is therefore advised to await the outcome of the case rather than preempt the case,” he said.