Lagos Justice Mojisola Dada on Wednesday, issued a bench authorization for the arrest of suspected internet fraudster, Ismaila Mustapha widely known as Mompha.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on January 12, 2022 charged Mompha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, with N6 billion money laundering.
The court had on March 28, 2022 ordered Mompha to submit his passport to court after his bail sum was decreased from N200 million to N25 million.
Nevertheless, the defendant has failed to appear in court on two expected dates for his trial.
During proceedings on Wednesday, the judge stood down the matter for a while in expectation of the defendant’s arrival, but failed to appear in court again at resumption of court proceedings.
The EFCC lead counsel Rotimi Oyedepo said the court should issue an arrest authorization against him.
The judge said the excuse given last time for the defendant not appearing in court was that he got coronavirus which was found to be false.
Afterward, Justice Dada revoked the defendant's bail and ordered his arrest.
The judge suspended the matter till June 30, 2022.