The Economic and social financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday accused social media celebrity, Ismailia Mustapha, also known as, Mompha of flouting the terms of his bail by travelling to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, without the court permission.
An EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, who made the allegation before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, also claimed that Mompha made the journey to Dubai with a new international passport.
The anti-graft agency had arraigned the defendant on an eight-count charge of laundering the sum of N6.5 billion alongside his firm, Ismalob Global Investment Limited.
The defendant was accused of conspiracy to launder money obtained through unlawful activities, and laundering of money obtained through unlawful activities.
The other charges include retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, use of property derived from unlawful acts, possession of documents containing false pretenses and failure to disclose assets.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The trial judge, Justice Mojisola Dada had adjourned the matter to Friday in order for the EFCC and Mompha to present a report on a plea bargain arrangement initiated by the defendant.
But at the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, Oyedepo, informed the court that the parties have not concluded talks on the plea bargain agreement, so there were no reports to present to the court yet.
He, however, informed the court that the defendant travelled to Dubai after he had submitted his international passport on the order of the court.
Oyedepo said, “my lord granted bail to the defendant and ordered him to submit his International Passport.
“We have it on good authority that the defendant has a passport with No. D50084304 which was issued in Abuja on July 2021 and is to expire on June 30, 2031.’’
