Social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over alleged fraud.
The self-acclaimed king of Nigerian bureau de change, whose posh lifestyle has made him a darling of Instagram users, is currently in custody of the anti-graft agency.
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Details of Mr Mustapha’s offence, especially the amount and illicit trade involved, could not be immediately obtained.
Confirming the arrest in a message posted on Twitter, the EFCC said its Lagos office “has arrested a renowned Social Media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha popularly known as Mompha for an alleged involvement in internet-related fraud and money laundering.”
Contacted, EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, declined to provide further details.
Mompha’s arrest was reportedly a joint operation between INTERPOL and the EFCC.
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Nigeria’s head of INTERPOL, Umar Garba, told reporters that although he had learnt of the arrest, all enquiries should be directed to the EFCC as the primary law enforcement institution in charge of the investigation.
News of the arrest of Mompha’s arrest began as a rumour on social media following a tweet by controversial Kemi Olunloyo.
There were reports that Mompha fled his base in Dubai to evade arrest by INTERPOL.
