Following his alleged involvement in N22.7 billion fraud, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed fresh 22-count charge against ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and 12 others.

The charges were filed by the anti-graft agency at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State.

The fresh charges border on stealing, advanced fee fraud and money laundering all to the tune of over N22.7bn.

Tompolo and nine others are facing another alleged N34bn fraud before Justice Ibrahim Buba.

He however did not turn up as expected in court on January 14 and Buba gave an order for his arrest.

The EFCC listed 25 witnesses that will testify against Tompolo and his 12 co-suspects when the trial begins.

Among the witnesses are seven EFCC investigators, officials of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, officials of the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and officials of Bureau of Public Procurement.

Also to testify against the suspects are officials of four commercial banks namely Access Bank, First Bank, Zenith Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc.

Those to be arraigned alongside Tompolo in the fresh 22 counts are: a former Director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, whose four brothers--Victor, Nobert, Emmanuel and Clement, who are still at large, were said to have aided the suspects to commit the alleged fraud.

The other suspects are Kime Engozu, Josephine Otuaga, Rita Uruakpa and Pondi Kestin.

The case is yet to be assigned to any judge. (Nigerian Tribune)

•Photo shows Government Ekemupolo a.k.a Tompolo.