Justice Mojisola Dada of a Special Offences Court, Ikeja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of embattled suspected internet fraudster, Ismaila Mustapha alias Mompha on Wednesday, June 22, 2022.
Ismaila Mustapha is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 8-count charge bordering on the offences of conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of over N6billion, along with his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited.
It will be recalled that Mompha and his company Ismalob Global Investment Limited was arrested on January 10, 2022 by the EFCC, arraigned and granted bail.
However, the defendant has failed to appear in court on two scheduled dates for his trial.
At the last adjourned date, the defendant’s matter could not proceed due to his absence.
At the resumption of proceedings on Wednesday, the judge stood down the matter for a while in expectation of the defendant’s arrival, yet he failed to appear in court again.
The EFCC lead counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo asked the court for further stand down, but the request was turned down by the judge.
She asked, “Where is the defendant?”
Addressing the court, Oyedepo told the court that the development shocked him.
At that point, Justice Dada said, “The excuse that was given that he tested positive to COVID-19 was found to be false”.
The prosecution counsel, Oyedepo thereafter, urged the court, “My Lord, should issue a warrant of arrest on the production of the defendant before your lordship,” he said.
Subsequently, Justice Dada revoked the defendant’s bail and ordered his arrest.
She adjourned further proceeding till June 30, 2022.
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