A Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in the Ikeja area on Wednesday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of suspected internet fraudster, Ismaila Mustapha, better known as Mompha, over his continued failure to present himself for trial.
Mompha is facing prosecution over alleged N6bn fraud. He was arrested on January 10, 2022 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and was arraigned on January 12 alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited.
The Commission levelled an 8-count charge of alleged money laundering against him.
The offence is contrary to relevant sections of the Advance Fee Fraud Act of 2006 and the EFCC Act of 2004.
After he pleaded not guilty to all the counts, on January 18, he was admitted to bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in like sum.
After meeting his bail condition, he was on March 28, released to his lawyer, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Gboyega Oyewole.
Since his release from bail, Mompha has refused to appear in court on two scheduled dates for his trial.
At the 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.
After conferring with the defence counsel, the EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo asked the court for a further stand down, but Justice Dada refused the request.
Addressing the court, Oyedepo said that he was shocked at the absence of the defendant.
Consequently,, Justice Dada noted that “the excuse that was initially given that he tested positive to COVID-19 was found to be false.”
The EFCC prosecutor subsequently urged the court to issue a warrant of arrest for the production of the defendant.
With no objections from the defence counsel, Justice Dada revoked the defendant’s bail and ordered his arrest.
She then adjourned further proceedings on the case till June 30, 2022.