Again, EFCC re-arraigns Mompha over alleged N32.9bn fraud
Thompson Nsisongabasi
Mar 04, 2020
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, re-arraigned social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, alias Mompha, in a Federal High Court Lagos, for alleged N32.9billion fraud.
READ ALSO: How NDLEA Uncovered a Massive Lekki Drug Lab and Arrested Its Saudi-Bound Owner | SEE PHOTOS
Mompha was first arraigned by the commission on 14 counts bordering on fraud, money laundering and running a foreign exchange business without the authorisation of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
READ ALSO: INEC Sued Over 'Missing' 55.9bn 2019 Election Funds
He was arraigned alongside his firm, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd.
READ ALSO: ABIA STATE DEBT HITS N62B, LAGOS N542B, RIVERS N225B, SEE OTHERS
The EFCC Counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court of a second amended charge against the defendant and urged the court to allow a fresh plea by the defendant.
READ ALSO: DETAILED: How Osinbajo detected P&ID fraud against Nigeria - UK Judge
The amended 22 count charges was read over to the defendant and he pleaded not guilty.
READ ALSO: How NDLEA Finally Captured Drug Kingpin Who Killed Three Officers After 12 Years on the Run
After his plea, defence counsel Mr Gboyega Oyewole,SAN, urged the court to grant a short adjournment to enable him study the new charge.
READ ALSO: Popular Islamic Cleric Found Dead In Zamfara
He told the court that he had only seen the new charge few minutes ago before the court commenced sitting and consequently, urged the court to allow him study same.
READ ALSO: How Suspects Used Fake Alert to Acquire 75m Mercedes Benz GLE In Kano
Justice Mohammed Liman, ordered that the defendant's bail of N100 million continues.
READ ALSO: Breaking: Fire guts RRS office in Lagos
Following agreement of parties, the court adjourned the case until March 18 for continuation of trial.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Senate Considers Amending JAMB Act To Limit Age Of Writing UTME
So far in the trial, the commission had called witnesses from commercial banks, CBN as well as the Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering (SCUML),
READ ALSO: 2 Billion Scandal: Inside Gavice Logistics, EFCC's Probe, and the Future of Its CEO
In the charge EFCC accused the defendant of procuring Ismalob Global Investment Ltd and retaining in its account, an aggregate sum of N32.9billion between 2015 and 2018.
READ ALSO: The Moment Chris Ngige Slapped ASUU President Back Over Argument |WATCH VIDEO
The Prosecution alleged that Mompha laundered the sum through Ismalob Global Investment Ltd.
READ ALSO: Delta 2023: Okowa Finally Reveals When Politics Of Who Will Succeed Him Will Begin
Both defendants, were alleged to have negotiated foreign exchange transactions in various sums like N9.4million, N20 million, N10.4 million, N2.4million, N100million, N61million, N40.7million, N42million among others.
READ ALSO: How NDLEA Uncovered a Massive Lekki Drug Lab and Arrested Its Saudi-Bound Owner | SEE PHOTOS
Mompha was alleged to have aided the Ismalob to retain an aggregate sum of N 14billion in its account, which was procured from Pitacalize Ltd.
READ ALSO: INEC Sued Over 'Missing' 55.9bn 2019 Election Funds
He said the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 15(2) and 18(3) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.2011 as amended. (NAN)
Related Stories
How Suspects Used Fake Alert to Acquire 75m Mercedes Benz GLE In Kano
How NDLEA Finally Captured Drug Kingpin Who Killed Three Officers After 12 Years on the Run
INEC Sued Over 'Missing' 55.9bn 2019 Election Funds
How NDLEA Uncovered a Massive Lekki Drug Lab and Arrested Its Saudi-Bound Owner | SEE PHOTOS
2 Billion Scandal: Inside Gavice Logistics, EFCC's Probe, and the Future of Its CEO
Popular Islamic Cleric Found Dead In Zamfara
""
— Thompson Nsisongabasi