An Ikeja Special Offence Court on Wednesday ordered that Instagram celebrity Ismaila Mustapha aka Mompha be remanded in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of conspiracy to launder N5.9 billion.
The defendant was arraigned alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd, on a fresh eight-count charge of fraud.
Mompha is also currently facing trial at the Federal High Court, Lagos on a 22-count fraud charge proffered against him by the EFCC.
He pleaded not guilty to charge of conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity, laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct.
Other charges are use of property derived from unlawful act, possession of document containing false pretence and failure to disclose assets and properties.
The EFCC alleges that Mompha committed the offences between 2016 to 2019 in Lagos.
The defendant is alleged to have conspired alongside Ahmadu Mohammed now at large to conduct N5.9billion worth of financial transactions with the intent of committing the offence of obtaining by false pretence.
EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo said, “On Jan. 28, 2019, the defendant and his company, with the intent of promoting one Olayinka Jimoh alias ‘Nappy Boy’ conducted unlawful financial transactions in the sum of N32million.
“The said sum involves the proceeds of a specified unlawful activity which is obtaining by false pretence.
“On Feb. 11, 2019 he retained the aggregate sum of N20million on behalf of Jimoh which he was aware that the said sum were proceeds of Jimoh’s criminal conduct (obtaining by false pretence).”
Also, the anti-graft agency 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 (obtaining under false pretences).
The EFCC said that on February 3, 2020, the defendant allegedly had in his possession a document containing false pretence titled ‘Select Milk Producer J.P Morgan’ which was used to defraud Continental Diary Facilities LLC.
It also alleged that on October 20, 2019, Mompha failed to furnish information in relation to his interest in expensive watches such as a Rolex wristwatch, a Hublot wristwatch, two Piguet wristwatches, and an iPhone 8 all worth N70 million.
“This is required in page 10 of the Declaration of Assets Forms and is therefore an offence,” the prosecutor said.
The alleged offences violate Sections 5(1) 6, 7 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and Sections 7, 18 and 27(3) of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004.
Justice Mojisola Dada adjourned the case until January 18 for hearing of Mompha’s bail application.
