Justice Mojisola Dada of a Special Offences Court, Ikeja on Wednesday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of suspected internet fraudster, Ismaila Mustapha popularly known as Mompha over his failure to appear in court.
The defendant, Ismaila Mustapha is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a 8-count charge bordering on the offences of conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of over N6billion, along with his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited.
Recalled that Mompha and his company Ismalob Global Investment Limited was arrested on January 10, 2022 by EFCC, arraigned and granted bail.
The defendant has however failed to appear in court on two scheduled dates for his trial.
At the last adjourned date, the defendant’s matter could not proceed due to his absence.
At the resume of the proceedings on Wednesday, the judge stood down the matter for a while in expectation of the defendant’s arrival, yet he failed to appear in court again.
The EFCC lead counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo asked the court for further stand down, but the request was turned down by the judge.
She asked, Where is the defendant?
Addressing the court, Mr. Oyedepo told the court that the development shocked him.
He urged the court to allow the defence to speak to his client and put him on speaker to confirm the position of things.
At that point, Justice Dada, said, “The excuse that was given that he tested positive to COVID-19 was found to be false.”
The prosecution counsel, Mr. Oyedepo thereafter, urged the court, “My Lord, should issue a warrant of arrest on the production of the defendant before your lordship,” he said.
Subsequently, Justice Dada revoked the defendant’s bail and ordered his arrest.
She adjourned further proceeding till June 30, 2022.
