N6.5bn Fraud: Absence Of Mompha’s Lawyer Stalls Trial

The ongoing trial of social media celebrity, Ismailia Mustapha, also known as, Mompha over money laundering allegations before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja was yesterday stalled due to the absence of his lawyer in court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned the defendant before the court on an eight-count charge of laundering the sum of N6.5 billion alongside his firm, Ismalob Global Investment Limited.

The anti-graft agency had accused the defendant of conspiracy to launder money obtained through unlawful activities, and laundering of money obtained through unlawful activities.

Mompha was also accused of 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.

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Wednesday, EFCC counsel, Suleiman Suleiman, informed the court that the prosecution was in court with two witnesses.

He, however, pointed out to the trial judge, Justice Mojisola Dada that the lead defence counsel,Gboyega Oyewole (SAN) was not in court.

Suleiman said, “there is no representation for the defence and I tried reaching the junior counsel who said that the SAN ought to be here, but he is not.”

LEADERSHIP recalls that the EFCC had on June 10 accused the defendant of flouting the order of the court by travelling to Dubai with a new international passport.

Justice Dada had adjourned the trial to December 16.