By: Mohammed Oluwatimileyin Taoheed
The Ikeja Special Offences Court under Justice Mojisola Dada, has ordered a bench warrant for the arrest of alleged internet fraudster and social star, Mr. Ismaila Mustapha popular called Mompha.
TrackNews Nigeria learnt that Mompha failed to appear in court yesterday as during the resumed proceedings, the court registrar called his case but the defendant was not in court unfortunately for him.
Our court correspondent covers that Justice Dada took back his bail and ordered his arrest.
As a result, Justice Dada took to another matter for a while in expectation of the defendant but when the issue was called the second time, the defendant was not still in court.
Prosecuting counsel of the Economic and Finanacial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo and defence counsel, Mr. Gboyega Oyewole, SAN, expressed to the court that it was amazing to them.
The presiding judge, Justice Dada, expressed concern about the excused that was given that he tested positive to COVID-19 which was found to be bogus.
She adjourned further proceeding till June 30,
Ismaila Mustapha, is being prosecuted by the EFCC on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of over N6billion, alongside his firm, Ismalob Global Investment Limited.
Recall that Mompha and his company Ismalob Global Investment Limited was arrested on January 10, 2022 by EFCC, arraigned and granted bail.
However, the defendant had earlier failed to appear in court on two scheduled dates in the course of his trial.
In a similar development, an alleged fake lawyer, said to be from the chamber Aladejobi and Aladejobi & Co., was yesterday arrested by EFCC), operatives at Ikeja Special ofences court.
The suspected fake lawyer was said to have claimed to be a counsel to one of the sureties to Ismaila Mustapha alias Mompha.
He was said to have appeared in the court with a letter requesting for Certified True Copy (CTC) of proceedings on behalf of his surety in the ongoing trial of Mompha.
The incident occurred after Justice Dada had given a ruling that Mompha be arrested for jumping bail and adjourned for another date.
EFCC prosecuting counsel, Oyedepo therefore told the body’s operatives to take him into custody for interrogations.
