Justice Mojisola Dada of a Special Offence Court in Ikeja has ordered the remand of social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha (a.k.a Mompha) in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody pending hearing of his bail application slated for 18 January 2022.
The judge ordered his remand after he was arraigned on an eight-count charge of over Six Billion Naira (N6, 000, 000, 000.00) bordering on aiding internet fraud and being in possession of fraudulent documents.
The defendant entered the dock immediately and the charge was accepted after the lead prosecution counsel formally prayed for the acceptance of the charge by the court.
He however pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to EFCC, thereafter asked the court for a trial date.
The defendant counsel, Gboyega Oyewole (SAN) who led Ademola Adefolaju and Kolawole Salami informed the court that they have filed a bail application and the same has been served on the prosecutor.
Responding to the bail application, Mr Oyedepo asked for time to respond to the application.
After entertaining submissions of counsel, Justice Dada adjourned till 18th January 2021 to hear and rule on the bail application.
Mompha had earlier been charged before Justice Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos vide charge No FHC/L/413C/19 by the EFCC and was subsequently admitted to bail.
