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Mompha regains freedom as court varies bail conditions

By Yetunde Ayobami Ojo
29 March 2022   |   4:04 am
Internet celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha a.k.a Mompha, yesterday, regained freedom from a correctional facility few weeks after his arraignment, following the variation of his bail condition by a Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja.

PHOTO YETUNDE AYOBAMI OJO

Internet celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha a.k.a Mompha, yesterday, regained freedom from a correctional facility few weeks after his arraignment, following the variation of his bail condition by a Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja.

Mompha was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Mojisola Dada on 8-count charge bordering on the offences of conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of over N6billion, along with his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited.

After his plea, Mompha was remanded in the Correctional centre of his choice, but could not perfect his bail conditions till yesterday after variation.

Ruling on variation of bail application filed by his counsel, Mr. Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), Justice  Dada, upheld the variation of his bail and admitted him to bail in the sum of N25million with two sureties in like sum.

This was against the N200million bail bound earlier granted with two sureties in like sum, with one of the sureties owning property valued at N100million within the jurisdiction of the court.

The judge while considering the defendant (Ismaila’s) application said that the court is wary in granting the application even as the defence counsel urged the prosecution to see towards the possibility of some kind of variation, and noted that such is being hampered because of his detention.

The judge, however varied the bail conditions by granting temporary relief to the defendant, which include N25million, present two sureties in like sum, one of the sureties must have a landed property valued at N50 million within the jurisdiction of the state and must be produced by his lawyer.

Consequently, the prosecution counsel,  Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo asked for a new date for commencement of trial.

The defence informed the court that the defendant has submitted his international passport to the court registrar and subsequently, presented a letter to that effect.

But the judge sought for the validity of the international passport and asked that a copy of it be printed from database, which was complied with by the defence.

She, subsequently, adjourned the trial to April 6, 2022.

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