By Sylvester Idowu in Warri
Arrangements have been concluded by ex-leader of defunct Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias “Tompolo” to sponsor another seven Niger Delta youths for a Masters Degrees programme in United Kingdom by January 2018.
Media Consultant to Tompolo, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, made the disclosure yesterday as students of the region staged a peaceful protest urging the Federal Government to halt the alleged witchhunt of the former militant leader by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The protesting students called on the Federal government to as a matter of urgency quash all charges preferred against High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a Tompolo,in the courts.
The students, who carried out the peaceful protest in Warri, were made up of members of the National Association of Gbaramatu Students (NAGS) and Law Students Association of Nigerian Students, Delta State University Chapter.
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as, “Tompolo is not guilty”; “Tompolo is a prominent builder of the future of youths in Nigeria” “EFCC must drop all charges against Tompolo” “Though politically prosecuted, Tompolo maintains his support for national security.”
The students maintained that Tompolo is a saviour to many students who hitherto had no access to education and should be commended instead of vilification.
President of NAGS, Freeborn Abraiye said, “Though Tompolo is being witch hunted, his efforts in education of students cannot be overemphasised and his passion is enormous.
“Tompolo always ensured that youths of the region get scholarships to study. He is a selfless leader, the charges against him should be dropped.”
On his part, the Attorney General of LAWSAN, Delsu, Jonathan Obiri noted that Tompolo has done well in the educational development of the youths of the region adding that the charges preferred against him were frivolous and of no effect.
“The government is only witch hunting him, they have no issues tangible against him. Tompolo is our saviour in the region. He knows the importance of education and has fought to give it to us.
“The government is doing little in the development of Niger Delta and people like Tompolo came out to challenge the impunity. So what offence has he commited then?”.
Rachel Briyai, a beneficiary of UK Masters degree sponsored by Tompolo said government should swallow her pride and quash all the charges against Tompolo considering the efforts he has put in development of the region.
“The charges against Tompolo are frivolous, they should be dropped, he wants development, he should be encouraged by the government to do more and not to attack him.”
But reacting to the protest of the students, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, Media Consultant to Tompolo who received the protest letters called on the government to heed the calls of the students.
He said that Tompolo is innocent of the charges and that the issue was purely political witch hunt.
He advised the protesting students against violence and cultism.
Bebenimibo promised that Tompolo is always ready to support their educational pursuit, revealing that seven students will be traveling in January to commence their Masters degree courtesy of Tompolo.
