Mompha Condemns EFCC as 'Most Useless and Corrupt Agency' in Nigeria
Prominent socialite and businessman, Ismaila Mustapha, widely known as Mompha, has launched a scathing attack on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This outburst comes after the anti-graft agency linked him to the recent arraignment of a suspected fraudster, Sarumi Samusudeen Babafemi. In a fiery Instagram post, Mompha did not hold back, labeling the EFCC as the most "useless and corrupt agency" operating within Nigeria today.
Details of the EFCC Case Against Babafemi
The EFCC had issued a statement detailing the charges against Babafemi, who serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of three companies: 606 Autos Limited, 606 Music Limited, and Splash Off Entertainment Limited. He was arraigned before Justice Rahman Oshodi on a five-count charge that centers on conspiracy, concealment, and transfer of proceeds from criminal activities. The total amount involved in these allegations is a staggering N206,000,000 (Two Hundred and Six Million Naira).
The charges are based on violations of Section 332(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, with penalties outlined under Section 332(3) of the same legislation. During the court proceedings, Babafemi entered a plea of "not guilty" to all counts brought against him.
Court Proceedings and Bail Application
Following the defendant's plea, the prosecution counsel, Ayanfe Ogunsina, requested the court to set a date for the trial to commence. Additionally, Ogunsina urged the court to remand Babafemi at a correctional center pending the trial. However, the defence counsel, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), presented a different perspective to the court.
Adegoke informed Justice Oshodi that he had only received the charge the previous day and had worked overnight to prepare a bail application, which was already in progress. He assured the court that he would produce Babafemi on the next adjourned date if released to his custody. In response, Justice Oshodi granted the application, ordering that the defendant be released to his counsel upon the filing of an affidavit of undertaking. The case has been adjourned until March 24, 2026, for the commencement of the trial.
Specific Allegations in the Charges
The charges against Babafemi include detailed accusations of financial misconduct. Count one alleges that between 2013 and 2018 in Lagos, Babafemi conspired with Ismail Mustapha (aka Mompha), who is currently at large, along with Ridwan Momodu Allison (aka Osama), also at large, and Richard Ugbah. It is claimed that they used Babafemi's companies to conceal the origin of funds and transferred N37,600,000.00 (Thirty-Seven Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira) to Omojadesola Shittu Allison, knowing or reasonably ought to have known that the money was proceeds from unlawful activities.
Count two further alleges that between 2015 and 2018 in Lagos, Babafemi used his company accounts to conceal the origin of funds and transferred N93,000,000.00 (Ninety-Three Million Naira) to Olanrewaju Ibrahim Oriyomi, again with knowledge or reasonable suspicion of the illicit nature of the funds.
Mompha's Strong Reaction to EFCC's Association
Reacting to the EFCC's report, which explicitly mentioned him in the charges, Mompha took to Instagram to express his outrage. In his post, he vehemently denied any involvement with the case and criticized the agency for associating him with Babafemi's arraignment. His description of the EFCC as the most "useless and corrupt agency" highlights a deep-seated frustration and adds a layer of controversy to this ongoing legal matter.
This incident underscores the tensions between high-profile individuals and law enforcement agencies in Nigeria, particularly in cases involving financial crimes. As the trial date approaches in 2026, all eyes will be on the developments in this case and the broader implications for anti-corruption efforts in the country.
