An Ikeja special offences court has issued a bench warrant against social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, better known as Mompha.

Mompha’s company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N6 billion fraud on January 12.

A fresh eight-count charge was brought against him, including conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity and laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity.

Others are retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, use of property derived from an unlawful act, possession of a document containing false pretence

He was remanded in the custody of the EFCC but later granted a bail of N200 million which he couldn’t fulfill. The bail sum was later slashed to N25 million.

On Wednesday, the judge presiding over the case, Mojisola Dada, revoked the bail granted to Mompha, following his absence in court.

Mompha had, on June 16, stalled the court proceedings.

On June 10, the EFCC accused Mompha of flouting the court order by travelling to Dubai with a new international passport.

Thus the judge ruled;

“The bail of the defendant is once again revoked and a bench warrant issued for his arrest against the next adjourned date.”

The presiding judge adjourned the matter until June 30 for further proceedings.

The defence counsel, Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), however, pleaded with the court for a stand-down of the matter but the defendant failed to show up in court.

The case was stood down until noon at the instance of the prosecution.

When the case was called again, the defendant was absent in court which prompted the judge to ask the defence counsel the whereabouts of the defendant.

“I am also surprised at the development my lord because the defendant gave me an assurance that he will be in court,” he said.

“I had his assurance up till yesterday night that he will be in court and that was why I was waiting downstairs for him.

“I made an effort to ensure that the defendant is in court today following his absence at the last date of adjournment but to no avail.”

The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, also told the court that the commission had filed a plea bargain which the defendant filed and that the new development was shocking.

“If I say that this development is not shocking it will be an understatement, my lord. As of yesterday the learned senior advocate discussed with me and assured me that we should continue today with this proceeding,” he said.

”The defence counsel seemed to have taken some steps but it appears it is not yielding any results.

“I urge your lordship to issue a warrant for his arrest and for the production of the defendant before your lordship.”