Mompha sues EFCC over ‘unlawful detention’, demands N5m damages

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Mompha sues EFCC over ‘unlawful detention’, demands N5m damages

Ismaila Mustapha, an Instagram celebrity better known as ‘Mompha,’ has filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging unlawful detention.

In the suit dated November 14, and filed before a Lagos high court by his lawyers, including Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), Ademola Adefolaju, Kolawole Salami and four others, Mompha also accused the anti-graft agency of violating his rights.

Mustapha is demanding the sum of N5 million as damages from the EFCC and also court order directing the commission to release him unconditionally forthwith from its custody.

He is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC or any person acting on its behalf from arresting and detaining him in relation to the subject matter of the suit without recourse to the due process of law.

“The applicant (Mompha) has been subjected to physical, mental and psychological torture in the underground cell of the EFCC’s detention centre,” read a 20 paragraph-affidavit deposed to by Olumuyiwa Ajidagba, a lawyer.

Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman, had confirmed to TheCable Lifestyle on October 22, that Mompha was apprehended by the anti-graft agency in the federal captial territory (FCT).

“Yes, he has been arrested,” Uwujaren had said.

“He was arrested for alleged internet fraud and money laundering on October 18 at the Abuja airport while on his way to Dubai.

“He perpetrated the alleged criminal activities under the cover of being a Bureau De Change operator. Five wristwatches worth N20 million were recovered from him at the point of arrest.”

Less than a week after Mompha’s arrest, operatives of the anti-corruption agency nabbed Hamza Koudeih, a Lebanese, alongside two other suspected accomplices of the Instagram celebrity.

Mompha, Koudeih and the other suspects were said to have been involved in internet-related fraud and money laundering to the sum of N33 billion.

The court is yet to fix any date to hear the case.