The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied the viral news that they advised Mompha to keep a low profile after Hushpuppi was arrested in Dubai on charges of internet fraud and money laundering.
The EFCC gave their response in a statement titled “Mompha: EFCC Does Not Advise Suspect of Crime” was posted on the official Facebook page of the EFCC. It further read:
“The claim which did not mention the official of the Commission who supposedly gave the advice, is spurious and should be discountenanced.
“The Commission is not in the business of advising suspected internet fraudsters and it is far-fetched that it would counsel one against whom it has pending criminal charge in court.
“Mompha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited are facing prosecution by the EFCC on a 22-count charge alleging various offences such as retention of proceeds of unlawful activities to wit; fraud, failure to report transaction to the Commission as required by the provision of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended), negotiating foreign exchange without license, contrary to Section 5 and 29 of the Foreign Exchange Monitoring and Miscellaneous (Provisions) Act, 2004; engaging in foreign exchange transaction other than through the official foreign exchange market, contrary to provision of Section 11(1) (a) of the National Economic Intelligence Establishment Act to the tune of N32billion before Justice A. M. Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.