Ikoyi, Lagos, as a prosecution witness told the court that Mompha did
not remit tax to the Federal Government for a period of seven months
while his company was already in existence.Mompha is standing trial alongside his company, Ismalob Global
Investments Limited on an amended 22-count charge bordering on cyber
fraud and money laundering to the tune of N33 billion (Thirty-three
Billion Naira) brought against him by the EFCC.
The defendant who is fingered as a major figure in an organised
transnational cyber fraud network, allegedly used his company, Ismalob
Investment Limited to launder the funds, part of which he used in
acquiring properties in Dubai.
At the resumed sitting today, the prosecution called four witnesses,
three of which are Bureau De Change Operators, BDC and an investigator
with the EFCC.
Led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo, prosecution counsel, Kaina Garba, an
investigator with the EFCC narrated to the court how Mompha ran an
unlicensed BDC, and lied about the date operations commenced in his
company leading to his evasion of tax for a period of seven months.
Kaina narrated to the court that sometime in 2019, the EFCC received
intelligence on Mompha’s activities, alleged to be a member of an
organised cyber crime syndicate. The intelligence was analysed and found
to be credible.
“Investigation commenced and the defendant was arrested at the Nnamdi
Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on his way from Dubai, where he
stays.
“A bank verification was ran on his Fidelity Bank account and it was
revealed that he is associated with some accounts one of which is
Ismalob Global Ventures Limited.
“Letter of enquiry was sent to the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC and
it revealed that he is a Director at the company and the sole signatory
to the account.
“Letter of enquiry was sent to the Special Control Unit against Money
Laundering, SCUML, and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to ascertain if
the company was registered and licensed to carry out BDC activities and
the responses showed that Ismalob was not a licensed BDC neither was it
registered with SCUML”, he said.
Kaina also revealed to the court that a letter was written to the
Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS and the response showed that there
was a suppression of seven months on the date when transactions
commenced at Ismalob and for those months, there were no payment of
taxes by the company.
He further said that the analysis of the Statement of Account on the
Fidelity Bank account of Ismalob, revealed a total turnover of over
Eighteen Billion Naira between December 2015 and September 2019.
Other witnesses, Ojei Osemeke, Onwuzulike Ikechukwu Kingsley and Ogbu
Chibueze Bernard, all BDC operators, narrated to the court how the
Mompha, through one of his directors, Ahmadu Mohammed would pay monies
into their accounts at different times totalling over Three Billion
Naira (N3bn) and send representatives to receive the Euros equivalent in
cash.
Justice Liman adjourned further hearing in the matter to tomorrow, March
19, 2020.