By Muhammad Mamman
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Sarumi Samusideen Babafemi, an associate of social media celebrity Ismail Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, alongside three companies over an alleged N206 million fraud.
Babafemi was brought before the court with the firms on multiple counts bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and laundering of proceeds suspected to be crime-related. The EFCC alleged that the offences were committed through a series of transactions designed to conceal the true origin of the funds.
According to the anti-graft agency, the defendants allegedly defrauded victims by presenting false representations and subsequently moving the funds through corporate accounts linked to the companies named in the charge. The commission said the transactions contravened provisions of Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and financial crimes laws.
At the arraignment, Babafemi and the corporate defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecuting counsel for the EFCC asked the court for a trial date and urged that the defendants be remanded pending the determination of bail.
Defence lawyers, however, applied for bail, arguing that their client would make himself available for trial and would not interfere with witnesses or investigations.
The court adjourned the matter to a later date for the hearing of bail applications and commencement of trial.
The EFCC said the arraignment forms part of its ongoing efforts to clamp down on financial crimes and hold individuals and corporate entities accountable, irrespective of status or public profile.
