Crisis of ownership rocks Tompolo’s Global West Security Company – as family members invite EFCC over dispute 

ABIOLA Seun      I     

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been called upon to thoroughly investigate the finances of the Global West Security company after the death of the owner Late Captain Romeo Itima.

It would be recalled that the company won a multi-billion naira contract for  debt recovery and surveillance of Nigerian waterways from Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency  (NIMASA) under the former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The company was linked to former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpo- Mupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, who was said to be one of the directors of the company by proxy.

Captain Itima established GWVSL, a private maritime security company in 2009 to combat piracy and other associated crimes plaguing Nigeria’s waterways in the fashion of the duties of the United States Coast Guards to serve as a coast guard company, partnering with Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to police the Nigerian waterways. 

However, on 7th August, 2012 Captain Itima died during a routine patrol to test-run  the firm’s newly acquired boat at Escravos, Delta state.

The children of the deceased through Kevin Itima however, alleged foul play over the death of their father urged EFCC, to step into the matter.

At the public show of a documentary tagged ‘Price of a dream’  in honour of the late captain in Lagos, the children said they have invited the anti- graft agency to investigate financial impropriety against their uncle  Winifred Itima ,who has been running the company since the death of their father.

Kevin, claimed their father had a share of over 50 percent before his death,  and said “We call EFCC to investigate because as far as the ownership and the family are concerned, we didn’t authorize anyone to take that amount taken into their account. We believed MD is paid salary and allowances but if he wishes to be part of the ownership, he should buy shares to join the ownership.”

“All what he has done since our father died are expected to be done with the consent of the shareholders but if they are done without the consent of the shareholders, then it is illegal and if the EFCC can take it up we are ready because we have enough evidence.”

“At the moment, there is civil case but we can’t rule out the possibility of a criminal case. I don’t also think we can rule out the possibility of a formal petition but at the moment what we have in court is a civil case” 

Kevin who is an American trained filmmaker asked the government to hold his uncle responsible for any fraudulent activity that happened in the company after the death of his father, saying his father was an upright man who couldn’t be compromised.

 “After my father’s death, I don’t know what direction my uncle took the company to because he (uncle) will not allow us go near the company or allow us to know what was going on.  If the FG says they committed fraud and they have evidence and they are found guilty, so be it”

Kevin also stated that their uncle did not have the mandate of the immediate family to take over the leadership of the company after the death of their father, hence his uncle should take responsibility for any fraudulent activity that happened after his death.”

“The person who is there now is not the owner of the company and anything he is doing is without the consent of the family.

“Also, anything that happened after my father’s death falls upon the man who seems to know the account and everything that is going on.”

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