N32.9b ‘Fraud’: Mompha Has Case To Answer, Says Court

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday dismissed a ‘no case’
application filed by a social media celebrity facing a N32.9
billion fraud charge, Mr Ismail Mustapha, alias Mompha.

Justice Mohammed Liman held that the evidence and testimonies of
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witnesses
established a prima facie case against Mompha, requiring him to
explain himself.

The judge directed Mompha and his co- defendant to open their
defence on March 10.

Mustapha, alias Mompha, and his firm, Ismalob Global Investment
Ltd, were on March 4, 2020 re-arraigned before Liman on 22 counts
of alleged money laundering and cyber fraud.

They were first arraigned on a 14-count charge last November 25,
following his arrest last October 19, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport, Abuja.

Mompha pleaded not guilty and is out on bail.

The EFCC opened trial and called 10 witnesses who testified
against both defendants.

But rather than open his defence, Mompha filed a no-case
submission, asking the court to dismiss the charge against him and
set him free.

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday dismissed a ‘no case’
application filed by a social media celebrity facing a N32.9
billion fraud charge, Mr Ismail Mustapha, alias Mompha.

Justice Mohammed Liman held that the evidence and testimonies of
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witnesses
established a prima facie case against Mompha, requiring him to
explain himself.

The judge directed Mompha and his co- defendant to open their
defence on March 10.

Mustapha, alias Mompha, and his firm, Ismalob Global Investment
Ltd, were on March 4, 2020 re-arraigned before Liman on 22 counts
of alleged money laundering and cyber fraud.

They were first arraigned on a 14-count charge last November 25,
following his arrest last October 19, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport, Abuja.

Mompha pleaded not guilty and is out on bail.

The EFCC opened trial and called 10 witnesses who testified
against both defendants.

But rather than open his defence, Mompha filed a no-case
submission, asking the court to dismiss the charge against him and
set him free.