A bench warrant has been issued against alleged internet fraudster Ismaila Mustapha,  popularly known as Mompha. 

On Wednesday, Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos issued the warrant ordering the immediate arrest of Mr Mustapha. 

Mr Mustapha is facing an 8-count charge bordering on the offences of conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of over N6 billion brought forward by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He is being prosecuted along with his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited.

The bench warrant has been issued following Mr Mustapha’s absence in court for the past two scheduled dates. The trial has been adjourned till June 30. 

In January, Mr Mustapha was arrested by the EFCC on charges bordering on cyber fraud and money laundering to the tune of N32.9 billion.  

Mr Mustapha pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity, laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity, and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct.

Other charges levelled against Mr Mustapha include using property obtained from unlawful acts, possession of documents containing false pretence, and failure to disclose assets and properties.

According to the anti-graft body, Mr Mustapha committed the alleged offences between 2016 and 2019 in Lagos, conspiring with Ahmadu Mohammed, now at large, to obtain N5.9 billion by false pretence.

On February 3, 2020, the defendant allegedly had a document containing false pretence titled ‘Select Milk Producer J.P Morgan’, used to defraud Continental Dairy Facilities LLC.

The EFCC also alleged that on October 20, 2019, Mompha failed to furnish information concerning his interest in expensive watches such as a Rolex, a Hublot, two Piguet wristwatches, and an iPhone 8 worth N70 million.