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.
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