Connect with us

Headlines

How Ismaila Mompha Was Arrested with N20m Watches – EFCC

Published

on

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Tuesday provided details of how Ismaila Mustapha was arrested last weekend.

Mr Mustapha, more famous as ‘Mompha’, was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos while trying to depart Nigeria for Dubai on October 18, the agency said in a statement.

Operatives found five watches worth N20 million on him, spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren said.

The statement came hours after PREMIUM TIMES reported news of Mr Mustapha’s arrest by anti-graft operatives on allegations of fraud.

Mr Uwujaren earlier confirmed the arrest but told PREMIUM TIMES addition details were underway. Shortly after the close of business on Tuesday, the EFCC disclosed that it received intelligence reports about Mr Mustapha’s alleged fraudulent activities and closed in on him just as he was preparing to depart Nigeria.

He had been based in Dubai for several years where he reportedly runs a money-changing business, according to his social media claims.

The EFCC punctured Mr Mustapha’s business as a ruse, saying he had been using bureau de change as a cover for illicit trade and money laundering enterprise.

Mr Mustapha “perpetrates his fraudulent activities under the guise of being a bureau de change operator,” the anti-graft body alleged.

“Investigations have also revealed” Mr Mustapha has been using his money-changing business, which he jointly owned with his siblings, “as a decoy to launder his proceeds of crime,” officials said.

Mr Uwujaren said Mr Mustapha had “volunteered useful information to the operatives and has admitted being reasonably involved in the first two cases he was alleged to be involved.”

The EFCC credited “actionable cross border intelligence received from collaborative law enforcement agencies about his alleged involvement in the criminal activities” for the arrest, adding that the intelligence “further strengthened our suspicion.”

At the point of arrest, five wristwatches with a total worth of over N20 million were recovered from Mr Mustapha, who would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded, EFCC said.

Premium Times

Continue Reading
Advertisement


Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Headlines

US Lawmaker Seeks More Airstrikes in Nigeria, Insists Christian Lives Matter

Published

on

United States Representative Riley Moors has said further military strikes against Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria could follow recent operations ordered by President Donald Trump, describing the actions as aimed at improving security and protecting Christian communities facing violence.

Moore made the remarks during a televised interview in which he addressed U.S. military strikes carried out on Christmas Day against militant targets in North-west Nigeria.

The strikes were conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government, according to U.S. and Nigerian officials.

“President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria, he’s bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death,” Moore said.

He said the Christmas Day strikes against Islamic State affiliates had provided hope to Christians in Nigeria, particularly in areas affected by repeated attacks during past festive periods.

According to U.S. authorities, the strikes targeted camps used by Islamic State-linked groups operating in parts of north-west Nigeria.

Nigerian officials confirmed that the operation was carried out with intelligence support from Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation between both countries.

The United States Africa Command said the operation was intended to degrade the operational capacity of extremist groups responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces.

Nigerian authorities have described the targeted groups as a threat to national security, noting their involvement in killings, kidnappings and raids on rural communities.

Moore said the strikes marked a shift from previous years in which attacks were carried out against civilians during the Christmas period. He said the U.S. administration was focused on preventing further violence by targeting militant groups before they could launch attacks.

U.S. officials have said the military action was carried out with the consent of the Nigerian government and formed part of broader security cooperation between the two countries. Nigeria has received intelligence, training and logistical support from international partners as it seeks to contain militant activity.

Moore had previously called for stronger international attention to attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria and has urged continued U.S. engagement in addressing extremist violence. He said further action would depend on developments on the ground and continued coordination with Nigerian authorities.

Nigerian officials have maintained that counter-terrorism operations are directed at armed groups threatening civilians, regardless of religion, and have reiterated their commitment to restoring security across affected regions.

Continue Reading

Headlines

Renowned Boxer Anthony Joshua Survives Ghastly Road Accident

Published

on

World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua on Monday survived a ghastly road accident in Makun, Ogun State.

Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated.

Joshua reportedly sustained minor injuries, while two persons were said to have died on the spot.

Continue Reading

Headlines

Atiku Warns Against Hasty Re‑gazetting of New Tax Laws

Published

on

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned that any attempt to hurriedly re‑gazette Nigeria’s new tax laws could undermine parliamentary oversight and set a dangerous constitutional precedent.

Atiku’s warning follows public scrutiny over reports that the Tax Reform Acts signed by President Bola Tinubu differ from the versions passed by the National Assembly. Lawmakers, including Abdussamad Dasuki, raised concerns that the alterations could pose serious legal and constitutional risks, noting that they were not backed by any constitutional framework.

In a statement on X, Atiku said the directive to re-gazette the Acts effectively confirms “that the gazetted version of the Tinubu Tax Act does not reflect what was duly passed by the National Assembly,” calling it “a grave constitutional issue.”

He emphasized that under Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution, a bill only becomes law after passage by both chambers, presidential assent, and gazetting.

“Gazetting is merely an administrative act of publication. It does not create, amend, or validate a law,” Atiku said, adding that any post-passage insertion, deletion, or modification without legislative approval constitutes forgery rather than a clerical error.

Atiku further warned that rushing a re-gazetting while legislative investigations are ongoing “undermines parliamentary oversight and sets a dangerous precedent,” stressing that the only lawful approach is “fresh legislative consideration, re-passage by both chambers, fresh presidential assent, and proper gazetting.”

The former vice president clarified that his position is not opposition to tax reform but a defence of constitutional order.

“This is a defence of the integrity of the legislative process and a rejection of any attempt to normalise constitutional breaches through procedural shortcuts,” he said.

The Federal government has denied wrongdoing, insisting the laws will take effect as scheduled on January 1, 2026, while the National Assembly has directed the issuance of Certified True Copies of the Acts to ensure clarity and accuracy.

Continue Reading