...As Tompolo and Associates Face Capital Charges in Missing Persons Case

In a dramatic turn of events, the Federal High Court in Abuja became the epicenter of a high-stakes legal battle yesterday, September 25, 2025, as Niger Delta youths confronted former militant leader Government Ekpemukpolo, better known as Tompolo, and his associates over alleged human rights violations.

The courtroom was charged with tension as the judge noted the conspicuous absence of Tompolo and other key defendants, while victims of the alleged abuses were present and accounted for. 

This development immediately sparked controversy, with Niger Delta People's Mandate Spokesperson, Ebimene Tokowei, demanding that the court uphold its integrity by ensuring the defendants' presence at future hearings.

"These are capital offenses we're dealing with," "Two individuals remain missing, allegedly at the hands of Tompolo and his associates. They cannot simply send their lawyers while they remain comfortably at home."

The case, which officially commenced yesterday, stems from a lawsuit filed in March 2025 by nine Niger Delta youths. They accuse Tompolo, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, and others of kidnapping, illegal arrests, detentions, and human rights abuses. The plaintiffs are seeking a staggering N500 billion in damages.

Among the shocking allegations are claims of illegal detention facilities operating in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State. The plaintiffs assert that innocent individuals are not only unlawfully held but also subjected to forced labor. They are demanding the immediate release of all detainees, including two named individuals: Charles Korubo and Chief Priest Karowei Bala.

The legal action has cast a wide net, implicating not only Tompolo and Tantita but also key figures such as Dennis Burutu Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, and Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited. Even national security agencies like the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services find themselves entangled in this web of allegations.

As the case unfolds, it threatens to expose deep-seated issues within the Niger Delta region, potentially unraveling the complex relationships between former militants, security contractors, government officials, and the oil industry.

The plaintiffs' legal team is pushing for a court order to halt any funding to Tompolo and his associates under the guise of Tantita projects or similar initiatives. This move could have far-reaching implications for security arrangements in the volatile Niger Delta region.

With the next hearing scheduled for November 4, 2025, Tokowei issued a stark warning: "If the court fails to ensure Tompolo and his associates are present, we will have no choice but to mobilize full-scale protests across the Niger Delta. The people demand justice and transparency."

As this legal drama unfolds, it promises to keep the nation on edge, potentially reshaping power dynamics in one of Nigeria's most critical regions. The outcome could have profound implications for human rights, security, and the oil industry in the Niger Delta for years to come.