The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase, has stated that his men are on the trail of the former General Officer Commanding of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, over allegation of diversion of public funds.
Tompolo was yesterday declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged diversion of a sum of N45.9 billion in the execution of contracts for which he is facing a 40-count charge. This was after it got the Federal High Court in Lagos to issue a warrant of arrest against him as a way of getting the accused person to face justice.
Arase, who spoke during a tour of the Ekiti Poice Command on Friday, said: “We are looking for Tompolo and my men are on his trail. We will arrest him anywhere we sight him.”
He disclosed that the police have not been served with the warrant of arrest issued against the embattled secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti state, Dr Tope Aluko, but assured that necessary actions will be taken when they are served.
While commending his men for working hard to combat crime in Ekiti, the IG of Police warned against perpetration of extra-judicial killings, saying these have made the police to incur more litigation and consequently starved it of funds.
On the welfare of his men, he stated that his administration will provide housing units in all the 36 commands and Abuja , for every rank and file to take ownership of a two-bedroom flat before retirement, while scholarship will be offered to officers to get degree certificates.
According to him, “I’m complaining that I have no money to send you for training, why must we now incur more litigations? Because, when I am sued, the Police’s accounts will be garnished.
“Nigerians are more intelligent now, if you infringe on their right, they will go to court and unfortunately the IG will be the person to sue even while he is not there.
“We must learn how to respect the fundamental rights of the citizens. The reason why we normally punish you during extra-judicial offence has been that as trained officers, who carry arms, you owe the responsibility to protect lives and property and that was why you were trained,” he stated.
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