Former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo has requested a Federal High Court in Lagos to release the certified copy of its ruling to him.
The request followed Tompolo’s decision to appeal the order of arrest issued against him by the court after he refused to show up for previous trials.
Justice Ibrahim Buba has twice, issued an order for the arrest of Tompolo, who is on trial for charges bordering on corruption.
In a statement released by Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, one of Tompolo’s lawyers- the embattled former militant asked the judge to help in ensuring that he gets a copy of the ruling.
The judge had earlier thrown out the application on behalf of Tompolo to set aside the arrest warrant issued against him.
Adegboruwa revealed that a certified true copy of the ruling had been requested immediately after the judge gave his decision, with a view to studying it and advising Tompolo on possible chances of an appeal.
“But the lawyers have met a brick wall in the court, without any success in obtaining the said ruling,” he stated.
He revealed that according to the law, Tompolo has 14 days within which he can appeal against the ruling. The appeal window collapses on Monday, February 22.
“It would seem that the court is giving preferential treatment to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the case. For example, on January 12, 2016, the EFCC filed an application for substituted service on Tompolo.”
“The judge heard the application on the same day and granted it. The order was enrolled almost immediately and the case was heard on January 14, 2016. A bench warrant was issued against Tompolo, all in less than seven days.”
