Popular Instagram celebrity Ismaila Mustapha, famously known as Mompha, has reportedly been re-arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on charges of alleged money laundering amounting to N6 billion.
This development comes after his failure to appear before the Ikeja Special Offences Court.
During a court session, the EFCC counsel, Suleiman Suleiman, informed Justice Mojisola Dada that Mompha’s arrest had been made possible through the collaborative efforts of the prosecution and their international partners.
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,” Suleiman said.
Subsequently, the judge granted the prosecution’s request for an adjournment and rescheduled the continuation of the trial for July 3.
It is worth mentioning that the court had previously ordered the commencement of Mompha’s trial in absentia on September 21, 2022, due to his failure to appear.
The EFCC had filed an eight-count charge against him and his company, Ismalob Global Investment, on January 22, 2022, to which Mompha pleaded not guilty.
Following his repeated absences, the court issued a bench warrant for Mompha’s arrest on June 22, 2022. Consequently, Justice Mojisola Dada revoked the bail previously granted to the social media celebrity.
Mompha’s disregard for the court’s order was further highlighted on June 10, 2022, when the EFCC accused him of traveling to Dubai using a new international passport. This action was in clear violation of the court’s directive.
The charges leveled against Mompha include conspiracy to launder money obtained through unlawful activities, laundering money received from illegal sources, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, possession of documents containing pretense, use of property derived from an unlawful act, and failure to disclose assets.
The case has attracted significant attention due to Mompha’s popularity on social media platforms, particularly Instagram, where he flaunted his luxurious lifestyle and amassed a substantial following.
As the trial continues, observers eagerly await further developments and the subsequent legal proceedings against the controversial influencer.
Comments are closed.