Social media celebrity, Ismail Mustapha (Mompha), has denied reports that he was rearrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over N6 billion fraud.
He stated this in a live video on his verified Instagram page on Friday.
The social media celebrity was seen playing and dancing to Timaya’s “Sweet Us” to validate that he is free and not in the EFCC’s net as erroneously reported.
He also released a statement titled, “Idan was not arrested by EFCC; 33BG is not in EFCC custody” while telling EFCC to desist from media trial saying that he is in their custody and would be produced 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.
EFCC’s counsel, Suleiman Suleiman, told a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, that the prosecution, in collaboration with its international partners, had secured the arrest of Mompha.
“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.
On January 22, 2022, EFCC arraigned Mompha alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment, on an eight-count charge of laundering N6 billion, to which he pleaded not guilty.
The court on June 22, 2022, issued a bench warrant for Mompha’s arrest following his absence in court. Dada revoked the bail she granted the defendant.
Mompha further thanked his teeming fans and well-wishers, who are concerned about his safety assuring them that he is fine and enjoying himself with families in Dubai.
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