EFCC declares Instagram celebrity, mompha wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, a wanted person.

EFCC in a statement on Wednesday, August 3, called on members of the public with useful information on his whereabouts to contact the anti-graft agency.

“Wanted by the EFCC: Ismaila Mustapha. Anyone with useful information as to his whereabouts should contact the EFCC or the nearest police station,” the short statement read.

Mompha, alonside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, is being prosecuted by EFCC, on 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 pretence and use of property derived from unlawful act.

He was remanded in the custody of the EFCC but later later granted bail of N200m which he failed to fulfil. The bail was later reduced to N25 million.

The social media ce­lebrity was equally ab­sent in court on June 16, 2022.

On June 10, EFCC ac­cused him of flouting the court’s order by travel­ling to Dubai with a new international passport.

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, revoked the N200m bail earlier granted to the suspect and also issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

Defence counsel, Mr. Kolawole Salami, prayed the court for an extension of time to bring back the defendant to court.

Dada adjourned the case until September 21, 2022.