Justice Mojisola Dada of the Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos State, on Wednesday, adjourned the trial of suspected internet fraudster, Ismaila Mustapha, also known as Mompha, and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited to June 2.
This was contained in a statement issued by Wilson Uwajuren, Head, Media & Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Mompha was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC on January 12, 2022 on eight counts 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 pretence and use of property derived from unlawful act.
One of the counts reads: “Ismaila Mustapha, Ahmadu Mohammed (at large) and Ismalob Global Investment Limited, sometime in 2016, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to conduct financial transactions to the tune of N5,998,884,653.18 (Five Billion Nine Hundred and Ninety-eight Million Eight Hundred and Eighty-four Thousand Six Hundred and Fifty-three Naira Eighteen Kobo) with the intent of promoting the carrying on of specified unlawful activities to wit: Obtaining by false pretence. “He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges”.
During the proceedings on Wednesday, the prosecuting counsel, S.I. Suleiman informed the court that both parties were “in the process towards a plea bargain.”
He, therefore, prayed to the court for some more time.
In his response, Kolawole Salami, who held the brief of Oyewole, confirmed the position of the prosecution.
“The defendant wants his peace of mind and still maintains his no-guilty plea,” he added.
The case was, thereafter, adjourned till Thursday, June 2, 2022.
