EFCC Counters Mompha's Claim That He Was Advised To Keep A Low Profile

Category: Nigeria News

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has condemned comments by Ismaila Mustapha, alias Mompha, on the trial of Ramon Abbas a.k.a. Hushpuppi by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Mompha had asserted that the commission advised him to maintain a low profile in the wake of the indictment of his friend, Hushpuppi in a $1.1million fraud.

He told Daddy Freeze in an interview that after deleting Instagram photos in the wake of Hushpuppi’s arrest, EFCC called him “to post my pictures back because it will be as if I am involved”.

Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC Head of Media, in a statement said Mompha did not mention the official who gave the counsel.

Uwujaren noted that his failure to ascribe the claim to anyone meant it was spurious and should be discountenanced.

EFCC insists it is not in the business of guiding suspected internet fraudsters and cannot advise one facing criminal charges in court.

The spokesman said Mompha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, are facing prosecution on a 22-count charge.

These include retention of proceeds of unlawful activities and negotiating foreign exchange without license, contrary to Section 5 and 29 of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provisions) Act, 2004.

Mompha is accused of engaging in forex transactions other than through the official market, contrary to provision of Section 11(1) (a) of the National Economic Intelligence Establishment Act to the tune of N32billion.

Noting that the EFCC called 10 witnesses and closed its case, Uwujaren recalled that the suspect filed a no-case submission which was overruled by the court.

Justice A. M. Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, is presiding over the case.