Mompha: I don’t associate with fraudsters

Ismaila Mustapha, the Nigerian internet celebrity better known as Mompha, says he is neither a fraudster nor an associate with people involved in fraud.

Mompha’s comment had come amid his continued link to the trial of Hushpuppi, the embattled socialite, who was arrested last year.

The spotlight had beamed on Hushpuppi after he alleged that he bribed Abba Kyari, a deputy commissioner of police (DCP), to arrest Chibuzo, his co-fraudster and rival.

In a recent interview with Daddy Freeze, Mompha had reflected on Hushpuppi’s ordeals.

The socialite added that after Hushpuppi’s arrest last year, he had deleted all pictures from his Instagram page but the EFCC “advised” him against doing such.

But the antigraft agency had fired back at the socialite, saying it does not advise people suspected of fraud.

Reacting in a post via his Instagram page on Monday night, Mompha said he didn’t make the claim as alleged in some quarters.

He said his comment during the interview was only a reference to why he initially removed his pictures from his Instagram page amid the backlash after Hushpuppi’s arrest.

“At no time whatsoever did EFCC or any member of its staff told me to maintain low profile in relation to Hushpuppi’s arrest,” he said.

“I only made reference to a minor incident that occurred last year that resulted in me deleting my pictures and later reposting them which only has to do with my personal and private affair.

“I urge the the general public and my lovers to discountenance this falsehood been spread against me as same is a calculated attempt to associate me with Hushpuppi’s incident which I know nothing about.”

Reacting to the statement by the EFCC, Mompha said the charges filed against him by the agency are based on allegations of operating bureau de change (BDC) without license.

“Finally, I wish to also state that the charges filed against me by EFCC is in relation to allegations of operating BDC without license and has nothing to do with or involving fraud. I am therefore not a fraudster or in anyway associated with fraudsters,” he added.