The trial of a popular social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, also known as Mompha over alleged N6bn money laundering was on Wednesday stalled due to the absence of his lawyer.
At the resumed hearing of the case before Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court, defence counsel, Mr Gboyega Oyewole, SAN, was not in court, The PUNCH reports
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecuting counsel, Mr Suleiman Suleiman, informed the court that the prosecution was in court with two witnesses as the court had fixed Wednesday for the commencement of the trial.
Suleiman, however, informed the court of the absence of the lead defence counsel.
“There is no representation for the defence and I tried reaching the junior counsel who said that the SAN ought to be here,” he said.
The court had on September, 21 ordered the commencement of the trial of the defendant in absentia after he failed to appear before the court.
EFCC had on January 22 arraigned Mompha alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd., on eight counts of n6bn money laundering.
On June 22, the court however issued a bench warrant for Mustapha’s arrest following his absence in court.
Dada also revoked the bail she granted the defendant.
The social media celebrity was equally absent in court on June 16.
On June 10, EFCC accused him of flouting the court’s order by travelling to Dubai with a new international passport.
Mustapha is standing trial on conspiracy to launder money obtained through unlawful activities, and laundering of money obtained through unlawful activities, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, use of property derived from an unlawful act, possession of a document containing false pretences, and failure to disclose assets.
However, the case was adjourned till December, 16, for trial.
