“They Forced Me to Deny My Kidnap”: Egbema King-Elect Makes Stunning Allegations, Names Tompolo

By Passman Akpos

The long-running controversy surrounding the traditional stool of the Egbema Kingdom has taken a dramatic turn, with King-Elect Napoleon Sekegbekumor Egin alleging that he was abducted, held for about 48 hours without food or water and subjected to an alleged attempt to suppress news of his abduction.

Egin, in a detailed account obtained by Tarakirivoice, alleged that his abduction was connected to the intense struggle surrounding the Egbema traditional institution and accused individuals associated with the rival faction of using political influence to frustrate investigations into the incident.

He further alleged that while he was being held at a remote camp, his abductors communicated by telephone with former militant leader and pipeline-surveillance contractor, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, allegedly discussing how to contain the publicity surrounding his detention.

These claims remain allegations and have not been independently established by a court.

The disputed Egbema throne

According to Egin, the dispute dates back years and is rooted in competing interests over who should control the traditional institution of Egbema.

He alleged that Ekpemupolo had previously sought to influence the succession process and had opposed the former monarch, His Royal Majesty King Tiemo.

Egin said that following the death of King Tiemo in 2020, the traditional stool remained vacant for about two years.

He maintained that on October 18, 2022, traditional authorities and senior kingmakers assembled at Ofunama and unanimously selected him as King-Elect of Egbema Kingdom.

According to his account, the selection immediately triggered opposition from a rival faction.

Alleged midnight invasion

Egin alleged that at about 9:30 p.m. on the same day, armed men stormed the royal palace at Ogbudugbudu where he was staying.

He claimed that elderly members of the community were manhandled during the incident before he was allegedly dragged to the riverbank and taken away by boat.

Egin further alleged that individuals associated with Tantita Security Services were among those involved.

He specifically mentioned persons he identified as Super Ebilade, Ebipade Kari and Ekomieyefa Uduboh.

Tarakirivoice has not independently established the alleged involvement of the named individuals in the abduction, and the allegations should not be treated as proof of criminal conduct.

“I was held for two days without food or water”

According to Egin, he was taken through the waterways to a remote location he identified as Sunny Island.

He alleged that his captors threatened him during the journey and told him that he would not survive the ordeal if he were not an indigene of the area.

Egin said journalist Austin Ozobo subsequently reported that the King-Elect had been kidnapped, triggering public attention.

He alleged that rather than allowing the kidnapping story to develop, efforts were made to control the narrative.

“I was held in captivity for two days without food or water,” Egin alleged, adding that his captors allegedly communicated with Ekpemupolo while he was being held.

Alleged forced video statement

One of the most serious claims in Egin’s account concerns a video recording allegedly made during his detention.

He alleged that a camera was brought into the camp and that he was forced to read a prepared statement denying that he had been kidnapped.

According to Egin, he made the statement because he feared for his safety.

He further claimed that the recording itself contained an admission that he had spent two days at the camp.

The circumstances surrounding the video, including who recorded it, who ordered it and whether Egin made the statement voluntarily, would require independent forensic and investigative examination.

DSS, police petitions and alleged political interference

Egin said that after he was eventually handed over to the Department of State Services, his lawyers submitted a formal petition requesting an investigation into the alleged kidnapping.

He alleged, however, that the investigation was subsequently reframed as an internal chieftaincy dispute.

He said a second petition was later submitted to the police Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

According to Egin, police initially invited some suspects for questioning but the process allegedly stalled after political intervention.

He claimed that the lead investigator told him that powerful political interests had ordered the investigation to stop.

Tarakirivoice could not independently verify that alleged instruction.

NBA and lawyers had raised the alarm in 2022

Significantly, the kidnapping controversy was not entirely new.

Tarakirivoice’s review of contemporaneous reports found that the Nigerian Bar Association, Warri Branch, and the Izon Lawyers Forum publicly called for the prosecution of suspects over the alleged abduction of Egin in December 2022.

The NBA Warri Branch said it had followed developments concerning the alleged kidnapping and recalled that Egin had spent two days in the hands of his abductors before regaining his freedom.

The NBA said it had previously condemned the alleged abduction and called for a thorough investigation.

It also stated that it was aware that suspects had been invited for questioning by the Delta State Commissioner of Police.

The Izon Lawyers Forum similarly called for prosecution and warned against any attempt to frustrate the investigation.

The group reportedly expressed concern over rumours that certain individuals were attempting to obstruct the process and urged the police not to allow justice to be subverted.

A United Kingdom-based lawyer, Blessing Chukwu, also reportedly appealed to the Delta State Commissioner of Police to resist pressure to compromise the investigation.

These 2022 reactions provide important context because they demonstrate that the allegation of Egin’s abduction was publicly debated at the time and was not solely raised years later.

But Egbema Traditional Council disputed the kidnapping account

The controversy, however, was sharply contested.

In a statement reported on December 19, 2022, the Egbema Traditional Council rejected the NBA Warri Branch’s position and accused the association of relying on incomplete information.

The council said Egin had himself stated that he was not kidnapped and pointed to a video as evidence supporting its position.

It also disputed the description of Egin as “Agadagba-elect,” maintaining that the kingdom had no Agadagba-elect and asserting that HRM Meshack Eseiyortegha Ubabiri, Bini Pere IV, was the recognised monarch at the time.

That position is critical to understanding the dispute: while the NBA and Izon Lawyers Forum demanded investigation and prosecution, the Egbema Traditional Council rejected the underlying kidnapping narrative.

The battle over recognition

Egin’s allegations extend beyond the alleged kidnapping.

He claimed that after the incident, political pressure was allegedly brought to bear on the process of formally recognising him.

He alleged that the Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs had directed him to undergo medical examinations as part of the process of forwarding his file to the Governor.

However, he claimed that instructions allegedly emanating from the office of the Deputy Governor stalled the process.

Egin said civil servants told him that political instructions were preventing the movement of his file.

He subsequently petitioned the Governor, saying he had decided to pursue the matter through legal and constitutional channels.

New allegation: “Tompolo admitted his involvement”

In the latest and potentially explosive development, Egin alleges that Ekpemupolo recently met with Egbema elders and admitted that he had been involved in preventing Egin from ascending the traditional throne.

Egin further alleged that Ekpemupolo offered him alternatives, including a political appointment, if he abandoned the struggle for the traditional stool.

According to Egin, he rejected the alleged offer.

“I do not need anything from Tompolo,” he said, according to the account.

This allegation is particularly significant because, if independently established, it could introduce a new dimension to the longstanding dispute over the Egbema throne.

However, Tarakirivoice has not independently verified the alleged meeting, the alleged admission or the alleged offer of political appointment.

Egin relocates to UK amid alleged security threats

Egin said continuing threats to his safety eventually forced him to relocate temporarily to the United Kingdom.

He maintains that his emergence as King-Elect was the product of a lawful and transparent process conducted by the appropriate traditional authorities.

He insists that political influence and intimidation cannot permanently erase what he describes as the decision of the legitimate kingmakers.

A case that demands answers

The Egbema controversy now raises several questions that require credible answers.

If Egin was abducted, who authorised the operation?

Who transported him to the alleged camp?

Were suspects questioned by the police, and what did the investigation establish?

Why did the investigation allegedly stall?

Was political influence used to interfere with law-enforcement proceedings?

Who made the alleged video in which Egin denied being kidnapped?

Was the statement voluntary or made under coercion?

And, perhaps most importantly, did any political figure intervene in the investigation or the traditional succession process?

These questions cannot be settled by competing press statements alone.

They require an impartial investigation capable of examining the allegations, interviewing witnesses, reviewing available video and telephone evidence, and determining whether any criminal offence was committed.

Tarakirivoice position

The allegations made by Egin are serious and potentially capable of escalating tensions in the Egbema Kingdom.

At the same time, allegations against identifiable individuals must not be treated as established facts without evidence and due process.

The historical record shows that the alleged kidnapping generated public concern in 2022, including calls from legal organisations for investigation and prosecution, while the Egbema Traditional Council strongly disputed the account.

The appropriate response, therefore, is not political retaliation or media warfare.

It is transparent investigation, accountability and respect for the rule of law.

If the allegations are false, those accused deserve the opportunity to clear their names.

If the allegations are true, those responsible—regardless of political connections, traditional status or influence—should answer before the law.

For Egbema, the issue is no longer merely about who occupies a traditional stool.

It is about whether the rule of law can prevail when traditional politics, security interests and political influence collide.