Popular social media personality, Ismaila Mustapha, also known as Mompha, has disputed the story going about that he has been re-arrested and charged with money laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the sum of N6 billion.
In a live video posted on his verified Instagram page on Friday, Mompha claimed he had not been detained.
The social media star was spotted dancing and playing along to Timaya’s “Sweet Us” to prove that he is not in the EFCC’s trap as had been falsely claimed.
Additionally, he issued a statement headlined “Idan was not arrested by EFCC; 33BG is not in EFCC custody” in which he urged the agency to stop using him as evidence in media trials and claimed that they were holding him and would present him in court on July 3 2023.
“Contrary to the recent publication in most media platforms in Nigeria that I, Mompha, was rearrested by the EFCC. I want to use this medium to expose the corrupt and mischievous commission again that I was neither rearrested nor am I in their custody.
“This assertion by the EFCC is laughable because I am currently not in Nigeria more or less rearrested.
“I hereby urge the commission to desist from this insensible media trial and stop misleading people through the press/media that I am in your custody and would produce me before the court on July 3,” he wrote.
The Instagram celebrity chastised EFCC for witch-hunting him and using his name to trend every time.
In the meantime, it was earlier reported that the EFCC’s attorney, Suleiman Suleiman, had informed a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos that the prosecution had successfully obtained Mompha’s arrest through cooperation with its overseas allies.
“The prosecution will like to bring to the knowledge of My Lord that in collaboration with our international partners, we have been able to apprehend the defendant. We plan to take him into custody and produce him before the court. The counsel for the defendant reached out to me seeking an adjournment that he will be absent today in court,” Suleiman said.
Justice Mojisola Dada, thereafter, adjourned the case until July 3 for the continuation of trial.
The court ordered on September 21, 2022, the commencement of the trial of the defendant in absentia after he failed to appear before the court.
Mompha and his business, Ismalob Global Investment, were charged by the EFCC with laundering N6 billion on eight counts on January 22, 2022. Mompha pled not guilty to all of the charges.
Following Mompha’s absence from court on June 22, 2022, the court issued a bench warrant for his arrest. The defendant’s bail was revoked by Dada.
Mompha also expressed his gratitude to his adoring fans and well-wishers, telling them that he is fine and having a good time in Dubai with relatives.
