On Wednesday, June 22, 2022, Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offenses Court in Ikeja, Lagos, cancelled the N200 million bail previously granted to suspected online fraudster Ismaila Mustapha, also known as Mompha, and also issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
The EFCC is pursuing Mompha and his business, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, on an eight-count charge that includes conspiring to launder money obtained through criminal activity, holding onto money obtained through criminal activity, failing to disclose assets and property, possessing documents that contained false information, and using funds acquired through illegal activity.
On January 10, 2022, Mompha was taken into custody by the EFCC, accused, and granted bail.
However, on both of the occasions set aside for his trial, the defendant did not show up in court. His absence at the most recent adjourned date prevented the proceedings from moving forward.
In anticipation of the defendant’s arrival at the resumed proceedings on Wednesday, Justice Mojisola Dada temporarily put the case on hold. However, the defendant did not show up.
Rotimi Oyedepo, the chief attorney for the EFCC, requested that the court further stand down, but the judge denied his motion, demanding, “Where is the defendant?”
Speaking to the court, Oyedepo expressed his surprise at the situation.
The prosecution’s attorney requested the judge to issue an arrest warrant so that the defendant would appear in court.
Justice Dada then ordered the defendant’s arrest after revoking his bail.
The hearing was postponed till June 30, 2022.