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EFCC offers FBI report alleging Mompha used iPhone to launder N6bn fraud

Published

2 years ago

September 19, 2023

Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha

EFCC offers FBI report alleging Mompha used iPhone to launder N6bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has entered two documents into evidence, saying that the iPhone used by internet personality Ismaila Mustapha, better known online as Mompha, was used for fraudulent activities.

According to Channels TV, the EFCC presented the alleged proof on Monday before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court in Ikeja.

The reports are a letter from the EFCC to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States of America and a report from the FBI.

The EFCC charged Mr Mompha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment, with conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity, failure to disclose assets and property, possession of documents containing false pretence, and use of property derived from an unlawful act on January 12, 2022.

The offence, according to the EFCC, is a violation of the Advance Fee Fraud Act of 2006 and the EFCC Act of 2004.

Mr Mompha had pleaded not guilty to all eight charges. He also pleaded not guilty to the first six counts.

Court session

In today’s hearings, Mr Mompha’s legal team, represented by Kolawole Salami, objected to the two documents being allowed as evidence.

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The counsel explained that the documents were public records from the U.S. Consulate and needed to be certified before they could be used as evidence.

“The documents are not certified true copies, and should not be admitted in court,” Mr Salami told Judge Justice Dada, however, overruled the defence counsel’s objection and upheld the arguments of the prosecution who maintained that the FBI documents were original.

“The documents do not require certification,” Ms Dada ruled. Suleiman Suleiman, the attorney for the EFCC, had submitted the two documents through his witness, Ayotunde Solademi, an FBI agent, who was testifying in court regarding the Bureau’s forensic investigation.

Mr Solademi, who works for the FBI’s Legal Attaché office in Nigeria, testified in court that he used a Faraday bag to recover an iPhone that belonged to Mr Mompha.

According to Mr Solademi, the FBI’s forensic investigations showed Mr Mompha’s iPhone was used to search for bank Swift Codes, send account information to a United Arab Emirates (UAE) phone number, and had a hacked Microsoft 365 account.

“The [Mompha’s] iPhone had a compromised Microsoft 365 account and attackers used a fraudulent domain to socially engineer communication to their [Mompha’s] company,” the FBI representative was quoted to have told the court.

According to the report, the prosecution witness also informed the court that the FBI found evidence of Mr Mompha’s iPhone being used to switch payment delivery from a cheque to a wire transfer during analysis.

“The [iPhone] was used to make three attempts to transfer funds. The first two failed, but the third was successful,” Mr Solademi said.

Mr Salami, the defence attorney, read a passage from the documents during cross-examination that indicated that the FBI materials should only be used in a legal process once a separate communication has been made.

In his statement, the prosecution witness Mr Solademi, claimed that by appearing in court to testify, he had received a second message from the FBI approving the use of the papers.

The witness acknowledged, while responding to additional inquiries from the defence attorney, that he was unaware of any FBI arrests of the defendant. He also said that the EFCC had asked the FBI to conduct a forensic examination on Mompha’s iPhone.

However, the defence attorney contended that the FBI agent was unable to confirm if the iPhone he took from the EFCC belonged to Mompha at the time of handover.

Following the testimony, Justice Dada adjourned the trial until November 1, 2023.

EFCC offers FBI report alleging Mompha used iPhone to launder N6bn fraud

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‘We’re not hiring,’ NNPC denies viral recruitment adverts

Published

4 hours ago

March 21, 2025

Trends Admin

‘We’re not hiring,’ NNPC denies viral recruitment adverts

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company, (NNPC) Limited has warned the public to beware of fraudulent recruitment advertisements circulating online, stating that it is not conducting any hiring process at the moment.

In a statement issued on its official X handle on Friday, the state-owned oil company cautioned job seekers against falling victim to fake recruitment schemes, emphasizing that all legitimate job openings would only be announced through its official channels.

“The general public is hereby informed that NNPC Limited is not recruiting.

“Official recruitment announcements will only be made through our website and verified social media platforms,” the statement read.

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The company reiterated that its recruitment process is “transparent, merit-based, and requires no external assistance.”

The company urged Nigerians to disregard any unofficial job advertisements that claim to be from NNPC Ltd., as they could be attempts to defraud unsuspecting applicants.

The management further assured the public that it remains committed to upholding the integrity of its hiring process and would notify Nigerians whenever recruitment officially commences.

“We advise the public to always verify information directly from our official platforms to avoid being misled by scammers,” the company stated.

The company urged individuals to report any suspicious recruitment advertisements falsely linked to NNPC Ltd. to the appropriate authorities.

‘We’re not hiring,’ NNPC denies viral recruitment adverts

metro

Communal Clash: Gov Adeleke imposes new curfew on Ifon, Ilobu communities

Published

4 hours ago

March 21, 2025

Trends Admin

Governor Ademola Adeleke

Communal Clash: Gov Adeleke imposes new curfew on Ifon, Ilobu communities

In response to the resurgence of hostilities between Ifon and Ilobu communities, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has imposed curfew on Ifon and Ilobu communities in Orolu and Irepodun Local Government Areas, respectively.

Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, announced the new directive in a statement issued in Osogbo on Friday, emphasizing the government’s determination to prevent further escalation of the crisis.

“Following a resurgence of the crisis between Ifon and Ilobu communities, Gov. Ademola Adeleke, in a move to curb its further spread, has announced a new curfew time frame from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily, until lasting peace is restored,” he said.

Expressing deep concern over the renewed violence, the governor condemned the fresh outbreak of communal clashes.

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“Gov. Ademola expressed unhappiness and dissatisfaction with the breakout of fresh communal crises in Ilobu and Ifon.

“To this end, the governor has directed that the initial 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. curfew on the communities now be extended to 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., effective today, Friday, March 21, until further notice,” Alimi stated.

The commissioner further revealed that a joint security team, comprising the Nigerian Army, Police, and Civil Defence, had been instructed to sustain 24-hour surveillance in the affected areas to uphold law and order.

“In addition, the governor directed that an immediate stakeholders’ meeting, including the Olufon of Ifon, the Olobu of Ilobu, and other stakeholders from both communities, be held tomorrow, Saturday, to discuss further resolutions of the conflict,” he added.

Governor Adeleke called on residents, traditional rulers, and all stakeholders to embrace peace.

Communal Clash: Gov Adeleke imposes new curfew on Ifon, Ilobu communities

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BREAKING: IGP redeploys 38 police commissioners

Published

4 hours ago

March 21, 2025

Trends Admin

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun

BREAKING: IGP redeploys 38 police commissioners

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate posting of 38 Commissioners of Police to various State Commands and Police Formations.

The deployment comprises 9 commissioners of police to key state commands and an additional 29 CPs to various police formations across the country.

A statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday, said the commissioners of Police deployed to state commands include CP Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba to Zamfara State, CP Bretet Emmanuel Simon to Taraba State, CP Christopher Ado Emmanuel to Yobe State, CP Olusegun Eyitayo Omosayin to Cross-River State, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman to Niger State, CP Sani Omolori Aliyu to Bauchi State, CP Bello Shehu to Katsina State, CP Saka Adewale Ajao as Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and CP Ojo Adekimi to Kwara State.

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“In addition to these State Command appointments, the deployment also includes the posting of 29 CPs to various police formations as part of a broader effort to address rising security challenges and ensure effective policing that is responsive to community needs. Each CP will be tasked with implementing tailored strategies that reflect the unique requirements of their respective formations, ensuring that policing is both proactive and effective.

“The IGP charges the newly deployed CPs to prioritize their responsibilities in curbing insecurity and misconduct, reinforcing the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to uphold law and order through robust intelligence-led policing. This deployment reflects the dedication of the new Police leadership to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force is well-equipped to address the challenges of maintaining peace and security in the country,” the statement said.