Court revokes Mompha’s bail, orders his arrest

An Ikeja special offences court has issued a bench warrant against Ismaila Mustapha, the social media celebrity better known as Mompha.

Mompha and his company Ismalob Global Investment Ltd were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N6 billion fraud on January 12.

A fresh eight-count charge was brought against him, including conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity and laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity.

Others are retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, use of property derived from an unlawful act, possession of a document containing false pretense, and failure to disclose assets and properties.

He was remanded in the custody of the EFCC but later granted a bail of N200 million which he couldn’t fulfill.

The bail sum was later slashed to N25 million.

On Wednesday, Mojisola Dada, the judge presiding over the case, revoked the bail granted to Mompha.

This followed after the controversial socialite’s absence in court

Mompha had, on June 16, stalled the court proceedings.

The EFCC on June 10 accused Mompha of flouting the court order by traveling to Dubai with a new international passport.

“The bail of the defendant is once again revoked and a bench warrant issued for his arrest against the next adjourned date,” the judge ruled.

The presiding judge adjourned the matter until June 30 for further proceedings.

Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), the defence counsel, 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 the defendant.

“I am also surprised at the development my lord because the defendant gave me an assurance that he will be in court,” he said.

“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.”

Rotimi Oyedepo, the EFCC counsel, told the court that the commission had filed a plea bargain which the defendant filed and that the new development was shocking.

He added that the defence counsel had assured him on Tuesday that the defendant would be in court.

“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,” he said.

”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.”