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

Published

2 weeks 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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BREAKING : Tanker explosion claims over 20 lives along Warri – Benin highway

Published

46 mins ago

October 1, 2023

Trends Admin

BREAKING : Tanker explosion claims over 20 lives along Warri – Benin highway

A tanker conveying petroleum product has exploded along the ever-busy Warri-Benin highway.

The incident which occurred on Sunday morning at Koko junction in Warri North Government Area of Delta State, is said to have claimed about 20 lives.

The explosion was said to have resulted from a spark from faulty vehicle when some individuals were busy scooping fuel that spilled from the tanker.

It was learned that among the dead were a pregnant woman, children, and some elderly persons.

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An eye witness, who preferred anonymity, said the tanker fell and spilled its contents on the road and some persons rushed to scoop fuel despite being warned by drivers and security men who had stormed the scene after they learnt the tanker had fallen.

“We tried to prevent them but the youths threatened to beat us up telling us it’s their community. They came in their numbers carrying all sorts of containers and when the explosion happened around 12:15 am this morning we all fled.

“You can see dead bodies on the ground, some of them ran into the forest as I speak some dead bodies have been removed, I counted over 20 bodies” the eye witness who identified himself as Yusuf said.

More details to follow….

BREAKING : Tanker explosion claims over 20 lives along Warri – Benin highway

metro

One killed and six arrested as students clash in Katsina over a female schoolmate

Published

6 hours ago

October 1, 2023

Trends Admin

One killed and six arrested as students clash in Katsina over a female schoolmate

A 200-level student of the Computer Science Department at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Katsina State simply identified as Abubakar has been confirmed dead following a clash between students over a relationship with a female school mate.

Confirming the incident to newsmen, the spokesperson of the state police command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, said the tragic incident involving eight students of the university took place at Darawa quarters, Dutsinma LGA, Katsina State on Thursday around 1:20 pm. He said the incident was a result of a heated altercation between the students, which escalated, leading to the death of one of the students involved.

According to the statement, the command is taking the matter seriously and is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the facts surrounding the incident.

The command also disclosed that it was working diligently to gather and analyse all available evidence, including eyewitness testimonies, with the aim of establishing a comprehensive understanding of the events that transpired while upholding the principles of justice and fairness.

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It further refuted claims making the rounds on social media that the tragic death of the student was due to a “religious issue”, urging the general public to dispel any rumour or misconception that may have arisen.

“As the investigation progresses, updates will be shared with the public to ensure transparency. We encourage any individual with relevant information about the incident that will assist the investigation to step forward, as all information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, while calling on the general public to remain calm, extends his deepest condolences to the family and friends affected by this tragedy and the management of the Federal University Dutsinma. We convey our sympathies and support during this difficult time.” she said

One killed and six arrested as students clash in Katsina over a female schoolmate

metro

Alleged kidnap of 3 students in Ogun fake – Police

Published

7 hours ago

October 1, 2023

Trends Admin

Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola

Alleged kidnap of 3 students in Ogun fake – Police

The Ogun State Police Command has denied the rumour-making round that three students of Salawu Abiola Comprehensive High School, Osiele, Abeokuta were kidnapped.

The command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, made the clarification in a statement she made available to newsmen on Saturday night.

Odutola, who described the report as misleading and capable of creating panic in the public, enjoined members of the public to disregard the report.

The statement read, “The attention of Ogun State Police Command has been drawn to an online news being circulated in the wake of Friday 29th September 2023, that three pupils of Salawu Abiola Comprehensive High School, Abeokuta, were kidnapped without first getting clarifications from the Command”.

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“Ogun State Police Command hereby reiterate that the report is misleading and capable of creating a state of panic and false alarm when nothing of such happened”

“The Ogun State Police Command confirms that the alleged case of kidnapping is false and should be disregarded”.

“To address these rumours, the Divisional Police Officer in Odeda conducted a discreet investigation in collaboration with the Principals of Salawu Abiola Comprehensive High School, Osiele namely Olapade K. O, Principal Senior School and Bankole T. A, Principal Junior School”.

“The parents of the pupils were contacted, and none of them reported any cases of kidnapping to the school authorities”.

“In light of this investigation, the Commissioner of Police, Alamutu Abiodun Mustapha, has assured the public that security measures have been reinforced across the State”.

“Residents are encouraged to carry on with their daily routines without any fear or risk to themselves or their properties”.

“The Police Command also appeals to online writers to verify the authenticity of stories before publishing them”.