*’VDM Talking From Both Sides Of His Mouth’
THE Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has urged Nigerians not to condemn Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, over alleged Naira abuse during his recent birthday celebration, saying it was still a mere allegation.
Recall that a viral video from Tompolo’s 54th birthday celebration showed him dancing while a man sprayed ₦1,000 notes before him.
This has attracted comments and condemnation from some Nigerians, who speculated that the EFCC may turn a blind eye to the trending video and dared the anti-graft agency to investigate/prosecute the Niger Delta ex-militant to prove it was not selective in enforcing the law.
The agency in an earlier statement declared that nobody, including Tompolo was above the law, sayng he had been invited for questioning.
Speaking on the matter during a teletision programme on Sunday, May 25, Olukoyede confirmed that Tompolo has been invited for questioning, adding, however, that he should not be labelled guilty until the case is concluded.
The EFCC boss explained that the said video clip had been subjected to forensic analysis and may have been doctored, noting: “We have invited Tompolo, the whole Nigerians know that, and we said there is no human that is above the law.
“Nobody should go and condemn Tompolo for the allegation; it’s a mere allegation for now. We have subjected the video to forensic analysis, because these days, people can impose… you know?
“Not until we conclude the case, we cannot say Tompolo is guilty or not. We must give every Nigerian fair hearing or benefit of doubt.”
On the recent arrest and detention of social media influencer, Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, or VDM,the EFCC chairman said: “I don’t have anything against VDM.
” We received about four petitions against VeryDarkMan and for over five months, we carried out our investigation on him before we arrested him. We had a court order to detain him for days.
“There is nothing special about his case and investigation is still ongoing, even though VDM is now talking from both sides of his mouth, that he wants to become EFCC friend and at the same time abusing us.”
