Crime
Mompha’s case to be referred to EFCC
An Ikeja Special Crimes Court on Tuesday ordered that a social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha aka Mompha, be referred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on charges of conspiracy to launder N5.9 billion.
The defendant was indicted along with his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd, on a new eight count of fraud.
The defendant is also currently facing trial in the Lagos Federal High Court on 22 counts of fraud brought against him by the EFCC.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy to launder funds obtained through illegal activities, laundering of funds obtained through illegal activities, and withholding the proceeds of criminal conduct.
Other charges are the use of assets derived from illicit acts, the possession of documents that contain false pretenses, and the failure to disclose assets and properties.
After the arraignment, EFCC Chief Prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo requested a trial date.
However, the defense attorney, Gboyega Oyewole, SAN, informed the court that he had submitted a request for bail that had been notified to the prosecution.
In response, Oyedepo asked for time to respond to the defense’s request for bail.
According to the EFCC, Mompha committed the alleged crime between 2016 and 2019 in Lagos.
It is alleged that the defendant conspired together with Ahmadu Mohammed now at liberty to carry out financial transactions worth N5.9 billion with the intention of committing the crime of obtaining under false pretense.
The prosecution alleges that the defendant also carried out other illegal transactions.
“On January 28, 2019, the defendant and his company, with the intention of promoting Olayinka Jimoh alias ‘Nappy Boy’, carried out illegal financial transactions in the amount of N32 million.
“Said sum refers to the product of a specific illicit activity obtained under false pretenses.
“On February 11, 2019, he withheld the total sum of N20 million on Jimoh’s behalf, and he knew that this sum was the product of Jimoh’s criminal conduct (obtained under false pretense),” he said.
The EFCC alleges that Mompha on February 11, 2019 transferred the sum of N15.9 million to Naptown Records and on February 13, 2019 transferred the sum of N20 million to Wisegate Sleek System.
The funds are alleged to be proceeds of crime (obtained under false pretenses).
On February 3, 2020, the defendant allegedly was in possession of a document containing a false pretense entitled ‘Selected Dairy Producer JP Morgan’ that was used to defraud Continental Diary Facilities LLC.
The EFCC also alleged that on October 20, 2019, Mompha did not provide information regarding her interest in expensive watches such as a Rolex wristwatch, a Hublot wristwatch, two Piguet wristwatches, an Iphone 8 worth N70. millions.
“This is required on page 10 of the asset declaration forms and, therefore, is a crime,” said the prosecutor.
The alleged crimes violate Sections 5 (1) 6, 7 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Crimes Act of 2006 and Sections 7, 18 and 27 (3) of the EFCC Establishment Act of 2004.
Judge Mojisola Dada postponed the case until January 18 for the bail request hearing.
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