EFCC re-arraigns Mompha for alleged N33.006b money laundering charge
10 March 2020 |
2:01 am
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Ismaila Mustapha (Mompha) and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited before a Federal High Court, Lagos.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned Ismaila Mustapha (Mompha) and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited before a Federal High Court, Lagos.
The anti-graft agency re-arraigned him on second amended charge of 22 counts bordering on money laundering before Justice Mohammed Liman.Mompha and his company were first arraigned sometimes in November 2019 on a 14 count-count charge of the offence.
The alleged offences according to prosecution are contrary to Sections 15 (2) and 18 (3) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011, as amended.
Mompha had pleaded not guilty to the charge and he was admitted to bail with some terms.The prosecution had called four witnesses who testified before the court.
However, at the resumed hearing, EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court of his agency’s second amended charge and pleaded with the court to let the amended charge of 22 counts, be read to the defendant, Mompha, so that his plea can be retaken.
Following the reading of the 22 counts charge to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty.Upon not guilty plea of the defendant, his lead counsel, Mr Gboyega Oyewole (SAN) informed the court that the amended charge was served on him and the defendant few minutes before the court sitting.
Oyewole (SAN) therefore asked the court for a short date to enable the defence teams to study the additional counts of the charge.
The prosecutor, Mr. Oyedepo did not oppose the adjournment sought for by the defence team. With the agreement of parties, Justice Liman adjourned till March 18 and 20, for continuation of trial.
In the new amended charge, EFCC alleged that Mompha procured his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited to retain the sum of N33.006,026,806 billion between 2015 and 2018.
He was also alleged to have failed to inform the anti-graft agency in writing within seven days before making various huge amounts of money to several people who includes Ikechukwu Kingsley; Ojei Osemeke; one Onuskain; Okafor Ikenna; Ik Tony Global Communication; Ogbu C&C Ventures.
He was also said to have engaged in foreign exchange transactions without complying with the requirements of submitting to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trades and Investment.
He was also alleged to have procured one Ahmed Sarki (now deceased) to make cash payment of €765, 657, 00 Euro in a commercial bank, to a company, Pitacalize Limited.
The offences the anti-graft agency said, are contrary to Sections 18(c), 15(2)(d), 10, 5, 29(1)(c), 18(c) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 and punishable under Sections 15(3), 16(1)(f) of the same Act and Sections 29(2), 16(2) of the same Act.
The offence was also said to have contravened section 39(2)(a) of the EFCC Act, 2004.
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