EFCC blasts Mompha over corruption allegation, demands proof

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has tackled one Ismaila Mustapha also known as Mompha for accusing the commission of being “corrupt and useless.”

Mompha who is standing trial on conspiracy for money laundering and other criminal activities had accused the operatives of the commission of corruption.

But, the EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede while reacting through a statement issued by the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale on Saturday night, insisted that Mompha must prove to the court how he came about the corruption allegations.

Olukoyede said he would have allowed the matter to slide since the allegation was coming from already embattled and “sinking defendant” but he would not, as the allegation has to do with the commission’s most valued integrity and image.

The Chairman, who expressed dismay over what he described as ‘media war and phantom accusations’ by Mompha, said the commission will not be deterred from prosecuting his (Mompha) ongoing case to a logical conclusion.

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He, therefore, ordered that Mompha should be invited to bring evidence of any issue of corruption against any staff of the Commission adding that he should also justify his labeling of the EFCC as a “useless agency” with evidential proofs.

The statement in parts, “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to the malicious and unsubstantiated statement made by the embattled Ismaila Mustapha, (a.k.a Mompha) alleging corruption by operatives of the Commission.

“While Mompha may just be a drowning man clutching at any straw owing to the overwhelming evidence of his involvement in the money laundering case, his unsubstantiated claims against the EFCC is an issue the Commission is taking seriously.

“To this end, the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has directed that Mompha be invited to bring clasping evidence of any issue of corruption against any staff of the Commission. Besides, the socialite should also justify his labeling of the EFCC as a “ useless agency” with evidential proofs.

“As a responsible law enforcement agency, the EFCC would not sit back and allow libelous effusions against its reputation go unchallenged. Mompha, to all intents and purposes, cannot be expected to paint the EFCC in bright colours owing to the professional ways officers of the Commission are handling his matter. The EFCC would not be distracted in plying its job by antics of traducers like Mompha.”