Anti-Graft Commission, EFCC Re-Arrests Celebrity, Mompha Over Alleged N6billion Money Laundering
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that it has re-arrested social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha popularly known as Mompha, who was charged with N6billion money laundering.
The counsel for the EFCC, Suleiman Suleiman, told an Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos State that the prosecution, which is in collaboration with its international partners, had secured the arrest of Mompha.
According to Vanguard, Suleiman said that “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 to 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, adjourned the case to July 3, 2023 for continuation of trial.
The anti-graft Commission had on January 22, 2022 arraigned Mompha alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment, on an eight-count charge of N6 billion laundering.
Mompha was accused of conspiracy to launder money obtained through unlawful activities; laundering of 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 pretense and failure to disclose assets.
But he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court had on June 22, 2022 issued a bench warrant for Mompha’s arrest following his absence in court.
Mompha was subsequently absent in court on June 16, 2022, and on June 10, 2022 EFCC accused him of flouting the court’s order by traveling to Dubai with a new international passport.
The court on September 21, 2022 ordered the commencement of trial of the defendant in absentia after he failed to appear before the court. (SaharaReporters)
