The Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, in prison custody.
Justice Mohammed Liman gave the order on Monday on Mompha’s arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mompha, who was arrested on October 19 at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja was arraigned on 14 counts bordering on fraud, money laundering and running a foreign exchange business without the authorisation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The EFCC alleges that Mompha procured Ismalob Global Investment Limited and retained in its bank account an aggregate of N32.9 billion between 2015 and 2018.According to the anti-graft agency, Mompha “ought to have reasonably known that the money formed part of proceeds of unlawful act, to wit: fraud.”
Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, said Mompha acted contrary to sections 5 and 29(1)(c) of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provision) Act Cap F34 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and he was liable to be punished under Section 29(2) of the same Act.
Mompha pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Justice Liman adjourned till November 29 to take arguments on the bail application and for trial to commence.
Last week, Mompha filed a suit against the EFCC seeking N5 million damages for alleged unlawful detention and violation of his rights.
