In a statement issued by Tompolo’s Media Adviser and Consultant, Paul Bebenimibo, it was announced that the ex-militants lawyers were currently deliberating on the timing of his appearance before a court.
Tompolo’s decision to appear in court, according to Mr. Bebenimibo’s statement, was motivated by a respect the laws of the land and a desire to defend his innocence regarding the charges.
Mr. Bebenimibo dismissed as frivolous the claims by some ex-militant leaders, led by Africanus Ukparasia, that the bombing of oil and gas facilities in the Delta was carried out by Tompolo in an act of vengeance upon the Federal Government for bringing criminal charges against him.
According to Tompolo, the attack was carried out by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa and Delta States who wished to incriminate him and damage his reputation in the region.
The statement can be read below.
“These aggrieved APC members are bent on attacking his [Tompolo] reputation due to their loss of the 2015 governorship election in Bayelsa State.
“All of these actions are motivated by a desire to see him further attacked by the APC-ruled Federal Government.
“True to his fears, this set of APC chieftains, who joined the party immediately after the presidential election of 2015, were the first people to accuse him of bombing the pipelines to divert public attention.
“These new APC members, who the former chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, described as parasites, have also threatened to cause problem in the Niger Delta region if the pipeline surveillance contract in Delta State already awarded to Ocean Marine Solution is not re-awarded to them.
“This is a clear testimony of their involvement in the bombing of the pipelines. Since then, we all have seen their role in misleading the military and the general public.
“It would be recalled that this same Africanus Ukparasia warned me not to show interest in the Bayelsa elections, as he was a strong supporter of the APC candidate.
“He killed and maimed fellow Ijaw people because of a governorship election, and now he is the one accusing Tompolo of bombing pipelines.”
“Tompolo has no reason to bomb pipelines because of EFCC case, he knows he is innocent. As he has stated on several occasions, he will appear in court at the appropriate time as his lawyers are working towards that.
“Imagine, Africanus is alleging that Tompolo is preparing for war with the Federal Government. And that he is purchasing speed boats to that effect. For what?
“Let it be known to Nigerians and the entire World that, Tompolo will never wage a war against the Federal Government as he has sworn in 2009 when he accepted the Presidential amnesty declared by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He has kept faith with Nigeria.
“He has promised to work with the present administration unconditionally, and he will stand by that declaration.
“He was seriously troubled by the recent pipeline bombing incident because he has provided security for these pipelines even when the government refused to pay him.
“And so, he could not have been the one to damage same pipelines. As regards the acquisition of speed boats for war, it is the biggest lie of the year, as the military is also aware of the boats and pick-up vans he purchased in 2011 for the surveillance of oil facilities as he was working hand in hand with the military then.
“Tompoli is a man of peace and he is dedicated to the development of the coastal Niger Delta region.
“He prays that this matter is amicably resolved so that everyone will know that he always put his people above his person gains.”
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