Social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha has been re-arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
OsunDaily News reports that Mompha is facing charges of money laundering involving six billion naira.
The counsel to the anti-graft agency, Suleiman Suleiman informed a Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, that the prosecution, in collaboration with international partners, had successfully apprehended Mompha.
Suleiman stated, “The prosecution will like to bring to the knowledge of My Lord that in collaboration with our international partners, we have been able to apprehend the defendant. We plan to take him into custody and produce him before the court. The counsel for the defendant reached out to me seeking an adjournment that he will be absent today in court.”
The presiding judge, Justice Mojisola Dada, subsequently adjourned the case until July 3 for the continuation of the trial.
The trial of Mompha began in absentia on September 21, 2022, after he failed to appear before the court.
On January 22, 2022, the EFCC charged Mompha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment, with eight counts of money laundering involving six billion naira. Mompha pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In response to Mompha’s repeated absence from court proceedings, a bench warrant for his arrest was issued on June 22, 2022.
Justice Dada also revoked the bail that had been granted to the defendant. Mompha had previously failed to appear in court on June 16, 2022.
The EFCC accused Mompha on June 10, 2022, of violating the court’s order by travelling to Dubai using a new international passport.
The charges against Mompha include conspiracy to launder money obtained through unlawful activities, laundering money obtained through unlawful activities, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, use of property derived from an unlawful act, possession of a document containing false pretenses, and failure to disclose assets.
