The Federal High Court, Abuja, has remanded suspected internet fraudster, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, in prison custody.
Okay.ng understands that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned Mompha on a 14-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering and other related offences.
The EFCC accused Mompha of negotiating foreign exchange transactions of various sums with various persons, when he was not an authorised seller appointed by the CBN.
When the charges were read to him, Mompha pleaded ‘not guilty.’
While praying for a date for commencement of trial, the prosecution urged Justice Liman to order that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
The defence counsel, Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), said he was not opposed to the application for trial date, but said he had already filed a bail application for his client and had also served same on the prosecution.
The prosecution confirmed that it had been served with the bail application but said it required time to read and respond to it.
Justice Liman adjourned till Friday, November 29, to take arguments on the bail application and for trial to commence.