Mompha slams EFCC over FBI report on ‘N6bn fraud’

Mompha, the Nigerian socialite, has slammed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over “fraudulent” reports against him. 

On Monday, the EFCC presented an investigative report by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) before an Ikeja special offences court.

According to the investigative report, Mompha’s iPhone was allegedly used to carry out a N6 billion fraud.

Mojisola Dada, the presiding judge, however, admitted the report during Mompha’s trial in absentia.

Reacting via social media, Mompha described the EFCC, as the “most useless government agency in Nigeria,” arguing that the commission “lacks truth”.

“EFCC and lies are 5 and 6. The most useless government agency in Nigeria. Justice Mojisola Dada most useless judge in Ikeja high court,” he wrote.

“Very useless set of people. Wetin concern me and FBI.  Lies up and down, una no dey rest.”

On January 12, 2022, the Lagos zonal command of the EFCC arraigned Mompha alongside Ismalob Global Investment Limited, his company, on eight-count charges.

The charges bordered on conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity, failure to disclose assets and property, possession of documents containing false pretence and use of property derived from an unlawful act.

Mompha, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In June 2022, EFCC also informed the court that Mompha was in possession of another passport aside from the one submitted to the court, as part of his bail conditions.

The agency argued that he had used the passport to travel from Ghana to Dubai on April 11, 2022, via Emirates Airlines in violation of the court order.

Consequently, the presiding judge revoked the N25 million bail variation granted to him and also issued a bench warrant for his arrest over his failure to appear in court.

The EFCC had also declared him wanted.

However, since June 16, 2022, Mompha was said to have absconded from the trial, even as the EFCC continued with efforts to secure his arrest and appearance in court.

Following his continued absence in court and the inability of the prosecution as well as the defence to produce him in court, the judge, on September 22, 2022, ordered that the trial would continue in absentia.

Last year, Mompha accused the agency of blackmail and intimidation.

He was first arrested on October 19, 2019, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Mompha was later released after the federal high court in Ikoyi, Lagos granted him bail in the sum of N100 million in bond.

In January last year, the commission also rearrested Mompha over the alleged money laundering.