EFCC arraigns internet celebrity, Mompha, over fresh N6bn fraud

Again, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a Dubai-based internet celebrity, Ismailia Mustapha, aka Mompha and his firm, Ismalob Global Investment Limited for another alleged money laundering to the tune of over N6 billion.

The anti-graft agency on Wednesday arraigned Mompha and Ismalob before Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court on eight counts bordering on conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activities, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activities, failure to disclose assets and property, possession of documents containing false pretence and use of property derived from an unlawful act.

Before now, Mompha has been standing trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos alongside Ismalob Global Investment Limited on an amended 22-count charge bordering on cyberfraud and money laundering to the tune of N32.9bn brought against him by the EFCC.

In the fresh arraignment, the defendants were accused of conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity, retention of such funds, transfer of funds for a suspect Olayinka Jimoh a.k.a Nappy Boy, and unlawful transfer of funds for a record label, among others.

The sums named in the charge seen by The Star are N5,998,884.653.18, N32 million, N120 million and N15,960,000, totalling over N6 billion.

The EFCC also alleged that Mompha concealed his interest in expensive wristwatches and other movable assets valued at over N70 million.

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, with the intent of promoting the carrying on of specified unlawful activity to wit: Obtaining by false pretence.”

Another count reads: “Ismaila Mustapha, on or about the 20th day of October 2019 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, failed to furnish any information in relation to your interest in expensive wristwatches and other movable assets: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch, Audemars Piguet Wristwatch, Audemars Piguet-J46220 Wristwatch, XY Hublot-1321920 Wristwatch, XY Hublot-924206 Wristwatch and iPhone 8 worth over N70 million, as required in page 10 of the Declaration of Assets Forms and you thereby committed an offence.”

Mompha is further accused of using a false document titled “SELECT MILK PRODUCER J.P. Morgan”, to defraud Continental Diary Facilitate Southwest LLC.

The EFCC is also accusing him of colluding with one Olayinka Jimoh (aka Nappy Boy) to retain an aggregate sum of N52,000,000 between January 28, 2019 and February 11, 2019, believed to be proceeds of criminal conducts.

He, however, pleaded “not guilty” to the eight counts when they were read to him in court.

Following his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, prayed the court for a trial date and for the remand of the defendant.

Defence counsel, Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), however, informed the court that the defence had filed the defendant’s bail application.

“We have also served the bail application on the prosecution,” he added.

While acknowledging the receipt of the application, Oyedepo said: “We will need time to respond.”

Justice Dada, thereafter, adjourned till January 18, 2022 for “hearing of the bail application”, while the defendant was remanded in the custody of the EFCC.

TheStar