N6bn Money Laundering: Court issues bench warrant for arrest of Mompha

An Ikeja Special Offences Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of social media celebrity and alleged internet fraudster, Ismaila Mustapha aka Mompha.

The development followed the failure of Mompha to appear in court on Wednesday.

Consequently, Justice Mojisola Dada revoked the defendant’s bail and ordered his arrest.

During resumed proceedings, the court registrar called Mompha’s case but the defendant was not in court.

Consequently, Justice Dada stood down the matter for a while in expectation of the defendant.

When the matter was called the second time, the defendant was yet to appear in court.

Prosecuting counsel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo and defence counsel, Gboyega Oyewole, told the court that the development was shocking to them.

Trial judge, Justice Dada, expressed concern about the excuse that he tested positive to COVID-19 which was found to be false.

She subsequently adjourned further proceedings till June 30.

Recall that Mompha is being prosecuted by the EFCC on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of over N6billion, along with his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited.

Mompha and his company Ismalob Global Investment Limited were arrested on January 10, 2022 by EFCC, arraigned but later granted bail.

However, the defendant had earlier failed to appear in court on two scheduled dates in the course of his trial.

He was said to have appeared in the court with a letter requesting for Certified True Copy (CTC) of proceedings on behalf of his surety in the on-going trial of Mompha.

In a related development, an alleged fake lawyer, said to be from the chamber Aladejobi and Aladejobi & Co., was arrested by EFCC, operatives at Ikeja Special offences court.

The suspected fake lawyer was said to have claimed to be a counsel to one of the sureties to Mompha.

The incident happened after Justice Dada had given a pronouncement that Mompha be arrested for jumping bail and adjourned for another date.

EFCC prosecuting counsel, Oyedepo asked the commission operatives to take him into custody for proper profiling and interrogation.