Money Laundering: Mompha Remanded, To Return To Court

By Akinwale Kasali

Justice Muslim S. Hassan of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos,  adjourned the arraignment of Mustapha Ismaila, popularly known as Mompha, his accomplices, Kolade Phillip and Hamza Koudeih to November, 28, 2019.

They are being charged by the EFCC, for alleged money laundering, conspiracy, and cyber- crime.

When the matter was announced at the court, the 2nd defendant’s counsel, Abdulhamid Mohammed, told the court that he was only informed of the arraignment earlier in the day, and had no  copy of the charge.

He, however, pleaded with the court for a short adjournment to enable him study the charge and prepare his client before the plea is taken .

“I am not adequately prepared for the plea to be taken in respect of the 2nd defendant, and I humbly urge the court to adjourn this matter to the earliest possible date”.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, opposed the application, arguing that the plea relevant to jurisdiction of court was not that of the counsel.

Rotimi, relying  on S271(2&3) of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act, stated that the defendant had been served with the charge and, knows what to do with it.

He, therefore, urged the court to discountenance the prayers of the defence and, allow his plea to be taken.

Justice Hassan, however, adjourned the matter until Thursday November 28 for arraignment.

Mustapha, Phillip and Koudeih will be docked on a 24- count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.

Also, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  arraigned Mustapha alongside his company, Ismalob Global  Investments Limited, before Justice Muhammad Liman of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos on a 14-count charge bordering on cyber fraud and  money laundering to the tune of N33 billion (Thirty-three Billion Naira).

The defendant, who is fingered as a major figure in an organised transnational cyber fraud network, allegedly used his company, Ismalob Investment Limited to launder the funds, part of which he used in acquiring properties in Dubai.

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

Mustapha was alleged to have, between 2015 and 2018,  procured Ismalob Investment Limited, to retain the aggregate sum of N18,059,353,413 (Eighteen Billion, Fifty-Nine Million, Three Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirteen Naira) in its account No. 5260000846 domiciled in a new generation bank.

In another charge, the defendant, between 2015 and 2017, allegedly used Ismalob Global Investment Limited to retain in the same account, the aggregate sum of N14,946,773,393.00 (Fourteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Forty-Six Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy Three Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety Three Naira) received from Pitacalize Ltd.

The retention of the monies which are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful act, is contrary to Sections 18(c) and 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

Upon his plea, prosecuting counsel, S.I. Suleman, asked the court for a trial date and an order to remand the defendant in a Correctional Centre, pending the determination of the case.

However, the defence counsel, Gboyega Oyewole, informed the court that an application for bail has been filed and served on the prosecution.

Suleman confirmed the receipt of the application, but told the court that he needed time to review the application and respond.

Justice Liman adjourned the case till November 29, 2019 for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.

He ordered that Mustapha should be remanded in prison.