By Ayomikun Fulani
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, a wanted person.
EFCC in a statement on Wednesday, August 3, called on members of the public with useful information on his whereabouts to contact the anti-graft agency.
“Wanted by the EFCC: Ismaila Mustapha. Anyone with useful information as to his whereabouts should contact the EFCC or the nearest police station,” the brief statement read.
Mompha, alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, is being prosecuted by EFCC, on an eight-count charge bordering on ”conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity, failure to disclose assets and property, possession of documents containing false pretence and use of property derived from unlawful act.”
One of the counts reads: “Ismaila Mustapha, Ahmadu Mohammed (at large) and Ismalob Global Investment Limited, sometime in 2016, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to conduct financial transactions to the tune of N5,998,884,653.18 ( Five Billion Nine Hundred and Ninety-eight Million Eight Hundred and Eighty-four Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty-three Naira Eighteen Kobo) with the intent of promoting the carrying on of specified unlawful activities to wit: obtaining by false pretence.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, prompting the commencement of his trial.
He was remanded in the custody of the EFCC but was later granted bali of N200m which he failed to fulfil. The bail was later reduced to N25 million.
The trial had been stalled on Thursday, June 16, 2022, due to the absence of the defendant.
On June 10, EFCC accused him of flouting the court’s order by travelling to Dubai with a new international passport.
Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, revoked the N200m bail earlier granted to the suspect and also issued a bench warrant for his arrest due to his absence from trial.
Defence counsel, Mr. Kolawole Salami, prayed the court for an extension of time to bring back the defendant to court.
Dada adjourned the case until September 21, 2022.
(LINDAIKEJISBLOG)
