Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arrested socialite, Ismaila Mustapha better known as Mompha, who is facing money laundering charges before the Federal High Court.
According to ThePunch, Mompha was re-arrested last Friday when he went to the EFCC office in Ikoyi, Lagos state to reclaim his five wristwatches, one Apple Air pod, one iPhone 8 mobile phone and one pair of sunglasses, seized from him by the anti-graft agency.
Following an application by his lawyer, Gboyega Oyewole, Justice Mohammed Liman had on July 24 ordered the EFCC to release the items to Mompha.
Read Also: Court Orders EFCC To Return Mompha’s Passport, Wrist Watches And IPhone
According to the judge, since the items were not listed as exhibits in the money laundering charges filed against Mompha, the EFCC had no justification to continue to hold onto them.
He dismissed the submission by the EFCC that Mompha was still under investigation for another offence, saying there was nothing before the court to back the submission.
His lawyer, Oyewole, confirmed the re-arrest, vowing to challenge it in court, Punch reports.
Oyewole said;
I am filing processes tomorrow (Tuesday); they didn’t tell us why they are detaining him. They have not told us the basis for this re-arrest. As far as we are concerned, the EFCC is seeking to overreach the court because this is coming after we filed our no-case submission to the charges.
He added;
When they had the opportunity to amend their charges they didn’t and they are claiming that there is a new charge.
When contacted, the spokesman for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said;
The fresh arrest is unconnected to the existing charges in court. It is related to internet fraud.
Mompha is standing trial alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd, on an amended twenty two-count charge bordering on cyber fraud and money laundering to the tune of N33 billion.
