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Workers In Tompolo’s Company Facing Trial Alongside Former NIMASA Boss Akpobolokemi Protest Non-Payment Of 15 Months’ Salary

October 27, 2016

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had sued Mr. Akpobolokemi, former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), along with Tompolo, Global West, and others for conniving and diverting billions of dollars in NIMASA funds into personal use.

Workers of Global West Limited, a maritime security company being sued alongside Patrick Akpobolokemi in a 40-count fraud case, staged a demonstration in front of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, to protest the non-payment of 15 months’ salary.

The trial of former Niger Delta militant Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, was scheduled to resume on Thursday, 27th of October, 2016, but due to the absence of the prosecutor, Festus Keyamo, the trial was stalled and adjourned to the 10th of November, 2016. However, it gave Global West workers an opportunity to make known their plight, as they occupied the court’s vicinity bearing placards.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had sued Mr. Akpobolokemi, former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), along with Tompolo, Global West, and others for conniving and diverting billions of dollars in NIMASA funds into personal use.

Since 2015, the EFCC has frozen the Global West bank account following the fraud and malpractice allegations brought against the company and others. The company was said to have paid N700 million to NIMASA as kickbacks, adding that Mr. Akpobolokemi compromised the benchmark for sea protection levies in favor of Global West.

Global West, allegedly owned by Tompolo, signed a 10-year maritime security contract under a public-private partnership agreement with the NIMASA. 

The maritime security company was obligated under the terms of contract to provide security within the Nigerian maritime domain, improve data collection, improve safety of life at sea, enhance search and rescue operations, improve the pollution control and management of waters, and improve revenue generation and enforcement.

Despite the signing of the contract, the workers of Global West have yet to be paid fifteen months’ worth of salaries owed to them.

Workers speaking to SaharaReporters said they have been unable to do their duties as parents since their salaries stopped being paid.

“We, the sea farers working with NIMASA, we need our fifteen months’ salary to be paid. Some of us here have been driven from our homes. Others cannot pay school fees for their children. Fifteen months is a long time,” a worker lamented.

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