Mompha gets N200m bail, still holds on to passport 16 months after court order

Temporary reprieve has come the way of suspected internet fraudster, Ismaila Mustapha alias Mompha as the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja on Tuesday granted him bail.

Justice Dada pronounced that the defendant be remanded in the correctional centre of his choice during a ruling on the application seeking his ‘freedom’.

CASEFILE reports that the defendant would be granted temporary freedom if he is able to deposit N200 million, provide two sureties in like sum.

The court also said one of the sureties must have the property valued at N100million within the jurisdiction of this honourable court.

“Both sureties must depose to an affidavit of means to allow the placement of a lien in their respective bank accounts, both sureties must be gainfully employed and resident within the jurisdiction of this court and the sureties must provide proof of tax payment for the past three years,” the judge ruled.

She added that she is dissatisfied that the applicant’s international passport is still in his possession 16 months after he requested it for bail to go on a medical trip.

At the proceeding, the applicant’s counsel Mr Gboyega Oyewole opposed the grounds on which the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is insisting that the defendant flouted the conditions of the bail granted by Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

According to him, his client was not arrested as claimed by the commission because he approached the EFCC on his own upon return from his medical trip in January this year.

He countered the EFCC’s counsel Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, that his client failed to show up fortnightly at the commission for his trial.

Arguing his client’s non-appearance at the commission, he queried, “Remember, there was COVID lockdown, there was EndSARS, would he be signing during the three months lockdown?”

“There is no doubt, he would be going to sign anywhere when there was lockdown.”

“If not for COVID, it would have been the fastest trial, taking within six months.

“We should be fair to all, to our citizens, we can’t be saying we are preparing for defence, and you are slamming another charge here.”

Counsel to Ismaila Mustapha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited promised to take the International Passport to the Deputy Court Registrar office before tomorrow.

But Counsel to EFCC, Mr Oyedepo argued that the suspect be denied bail on the premise of the exhibits which he based on the suspect’s physical presence, the suspect’s register, amongst others.

Recall that the defendant and his company Ismalob Global Investment Ltd were arraigned by the EFCC over alleged N6 billion frauds, last week on eight-count charges of conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity and laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity.

Further hearing was adjourned till March 28, 29 and April 4 to 6, 2022 for accelerated trial.