The trial of social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha (aka Mompha), for alleged ₦6 billion money laundering continued in court on Monday, despite his absence. Mompha is currently at large, and his whereabouts are unknown.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) discovered over ₦30 billion in Mompha’s Fidelity Bank account. The commission received intelligence from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that Mompha and his company led a cybercrime syndicate in the United States and Nigeria.
The EFCC witness, Idi Musa, testified that Mompha was into bureau de change business, which he knew to be false. The commission concluded investigation on offences bordering on money laundering and operating bureau de change without a licence.
Justice Mojisola Dada adjourned the case until October 8 for continuation of trial. Mompha’s absence has not halted the legal proceedings, and the case is expected to continue in his absence.