During proceedings on November 16 and 22, 2022, the absence of defence counsel stalled the defendant’s trial before the court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has dragged Instagram celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, a.k.a Mompha, to court.

The EFCC yesterday told an Ikeja Special Offences Court that it had arrested Mompha, who jumped bail in an alleged N6 billion money laundering case.

EFCC’s lawyer, Sulaiman Sulaiman, told the court presided by Justice Mojisola Dada that Mompha was arrested abroad with the help of its international partners, praying for a new trial date since the defendant was not in their custody in Lagos yet.

Mustapha is facing an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity; retention of proceeds of criminal conduct; laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity; failure to disclose assets and property, possession of documents containing false pretense and use of property derived from an unlawful act.

Counsel to the defendant, Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), was absent in court yesterday.

Justice Dada granted the request of the prosecution and fixed July 23 for trial.

During proceedings on November 16 and 22, 2022, the absence of defence counsel stalled the defendant’s trial before the court.

The judge had on September 22, last year, ordered that trial of Mustapha would continue in absentia following EFCC’s failed efforts to arrest him after he jumped bail.

Justice Dada on June 10, revoked  the defendant’s bail but released him to his counsel, who pleaded for one week to investigate the allegation by the prosecution that the defendant procured another passport different from the one submitted to the court, as part of conditions for his bail.

The prosecution had told the court that the defendant used a new passport to travel from Ghana to Dubai, thereby violating his bail terms.