Justice Mojisola Dada of a Special Offences Court, Ikeja has fixed the further hearing of suspected internet fraudster, Ismaila Mustapha alias Mompha to November 16.
His trial is to continue in absentia on that date after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, announced to the court that its efforts to re-arrest him after jumping bail had yet to be successful.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, The defendant was again absent. EFCC’s counsel, Abbas Mohammed told the court that the commission had made frantic efforts to re-arrest the defendant, adding that,” We had also written letters to our counterparts to secure the presence of the defendant to this Honourable court.
The EFCC counsel said “My Lord, we will be asking for another date to enable the prosecution of the defendant on trial in absentia.”
Defence counsel who held brief for senior lawyer leading the team, Gboyega Oyewole, (SAN), Kolawale Salami, also asked the court for an adjournment.
Subsequently, the trial judge, Justice Dada adjourned trial till November 16, 2022 for continuation of trial, and ordered the EFCC to bring its witnesses on that date.
Recall that the judge had earlier issued a bench warrant against the defendant for failing to appear in court for his trial.
Ismaila Mustapha is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a 8-count charge bordering on the alleged offences of conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of more than N6billion, along with his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited.
The EFCC arrested Mompha on January 10, 2022 and granted bail afterwards.
But, the defendant has failed to appear in court on two scheduled dates, stalling his trial.
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