Tobias Sylvester
An Ikeja special offences court has issued a bench warrant against suspected internet fraudster, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha.
Mompha Fraud Case
KanyiDaily recalls that Mompha and his firm, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, were both arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on eight charges bordering on alleged money laundering of over N6 billion.
On January 18, Justice Mojisola Dada granted Mompha N200m bail and ordered him to produce two sureties of which one must own a property valued at N100 million within the jurisdiction of the court.
But the defendant remained in custody for failure to perfect his bail conditions.
Justice Dada later granted bail to Mompha in the sum of N25 million with two sureties in like sum, one of whom must own a property worth N50 million within the jurisdiction of the Court.
Court revokes Mompha’s bail
On Wednesday, they revoked the bail granted to Mompha and ordered his immediate arrest due the controversial socialite’s absence in court.
At the resumption of proceedings, Justice Dada stood down the matter for a while, expecting the defendant’s arrival, yet Mompha failed to appear in court.
The defence counsel, Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), pleaded with the court for a stand-down of the matter but the defendant failed to show up in court.
The case was stood down until noon at the instance of the prosecution.
However, when the case was called again, the defendant was absent in court which prompted the judge to ask the defence counsel the whereabouts of Mompha.
Oyewale replied, “I am also surprised at the development my lord because the defendant gave me an assurance that he will be in court.
“I had his assurance up till yesterday night that he will be in court and that was why I was waiting downstairs for him.
“I made an effort to ensure that the defendant is in court today following his absence at the last date of adjournment but to no avail.”
EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo told the court that the commission had filed a plea bargain which the defendant filed, and that the new development was shocking.
Oyedepo, who urged the court to order Mompha’s arrest, added that the defence counsel had assured him on Tuesday that the defendant would be in court.
He said, “If I say that this development is not shocking it will be an understatement, my lord. As of yesterday the learned senior advocate discussed with me and assured me that we should continue today with this proceeding.
”The defence counsel seemed to have taken some steps but it appears it is not yielding any results.
“I urge your lordship to issue a warrant for his arrest and for the production of the defendant before your lordship.”
Granting Oyedepo’s request, the judge ruled that “The bail of the defendant is once again revoked and a bench warrant issued for his arrest against the next adjourned date of Thursday, 30th June 2022.”
KanyiDaily had reported how Mompha was previously arrested shortly after he announced his trip to Nigeria with an Instagram photo captioned, ‘‘About to make some billions in Lagos’’.
