On Monday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced that Ismaila Mustapha (alias Mompha), a social media star accused of laundering N6 billion, had been re-arrested.
Suleiman Suleiman, an attorney for the EFCC, informed an Ikeja Special Offenses Court that Mompha had been arrested thanks to the cooperation of the prosecution’s overseas allies.
“The prosecution would like to inform my lord that we were able to apprehend the defendant thanks to the assistance of our foreign allies.
“We intend to get him arrested and present him in court.
Suleiman added, “The defendant’s attorney contacted me to request an adjournment since he will not be in court today.
Following then, the case was postponed until July 3 to continue the trial.
Recall that according to reports, the defendant’s trial was scheduled to begin in absentia on September 21, 2022, after he failed to appear before the court.
Mompha and his firm, Ismalob Global Investment, were charged with eight counts of laundering N6 billion by the EFCC on January 22, 2022. Mompha pled not guilty to the charges.
Due to Mompha’s absence from court on June 22, 2022, the court issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
On June 16, 2022, the online star was also not present in court.
The EFCC charged him with disobeying the court’s order by travelling to Dubai on June 10, 2022, using a brand-new foreign passport.
Mompha is accused of conspiring to launder money received through illegal means and obtained via illegal means.
Examples include failing to disclose assets, using property obtained via illegal activity, possessing a document containing fraudulent information, and keeping the proceeds of criminal activity.
