The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a Lebanese and two other suspected accomplices of social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha.
Hamza Koudeih was arrested during the weekend after a three-hour stand-off at his N1.8 billion luxury apartment in the 33-storey Eko Atlantic Pearl Tower, Victoria Island, Lagos.
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They are suspected to be part of a syndicate which laundered N33 billion through three firms.
News of Mr Koudeih’s arrest comes exactly one week after that of Mompha broke.
During the encounter with the Lebanese, The Nation reports that he and his wife refused to allow EFCC operatives enter his apartment.
The triple reinforced fire-proof door took the EFCC three hours to break.
Koudeih was found in his bedroom’s ceiling after his wife lied to officials that her husband had escaped through the window.
EFCC Lagos Zonal Head, Mohammed Rabo, was quoted saying a fire-proof safe was found in the Lebanese’s bedroom.
The safe contained charms and talismans in calabashes.
EFCC said Koudeih confirmed they were his “prayer objects”.
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It also recovered two luxury cars from the suspected accomplice.
Mr Rabo said the nationality of the two other suspects has not been confirmed.
It is also alleged that Mompha opened 51 Nigerian bank accounts to facilitate money laundering.
