Friends Abandon Instagram Big Boy, Mompha As EFCC Hunts For More Of His Associates

Many friends of the embattled Instagram big boy, Ismaila Mustapha aka Mompha have kept quiet on social media since his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently.

It appears the erstwhile man-about-town has been left to bear his cross alone and face the music of his alleged financial impropriety and fraudulent character.

Sources revealed that Mompha is close to the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El Rufai and they even exposed his picture with the diminutive Kaduna helmsman aboard a private jet.

It was further alleged that Mompha is wanted in the United States of America over wire fraud.

It was revealed that even Nigerian sex therapist, Jaruma, who got a N3m gift from Mompha in September, was yet to identify with him over his arrest.

It will be recalled that the Gombe State-born sex therapist shared a new video, where she and her aunt were counting wads of dollars sent to her by Mompha.

Jaruma was said to have even disclosed in the video that the money was equal to N3 Million.

Many beneficiaries of Mompha’s large heart have taken cover and withdrew into their shells and are afraid they could be trailed by the EFCC if they reveal that they were close to him.

“Most of Mompha’s friends have abandoned social media posts which featured him, they couldn’t even like the posts,” said a source.

It was gathered that Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo and daughter, Priscilla paid a visit to the family of Ismaila Mustapha and spent some time with them in Dubai during a vacation in July, 2019.

But surprisingly, we gathered that Iyabo Ojo was yet to comment on the travails of Mompha.

In time past, not a few actresses used to comment on photos and videos whenever Mompha posted before his arrest.

Sources however, revealed that Nigerian cross dresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky has thrown his support behind Mompha and identified with him “in his days of trouble” as against what was displayed by his other friends and associates.

Reacting to the arrest of Mompha lately, Bobrisky took to his social media page to express shock.

He disclosed that it was difficult to believe that was Mompha had been arrested as they both spoke few days ago.

“I still find it to believe wat I read about you. I still spoke to you few days ago @mompha but it’s fine. Dis shall pass soon. May God see you through dis tough time because you have an amazing heart,” the cross-dresser wrote.

Ismaila Mustapha, (aka Mompha), a self-acclaimed bureau de change operator, whose extravagant lifestyle made him a darling of Instagram users, was arrested by the operatives of the EFCC few days ago.

At the point of arrest, five wristwatches allegedly with a total value of over N20m were said to have been recovered from him.

The anti-graft agency said that the suspect was arrested on Friday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on his way to Dubai, United Arab Emirate, following series of intelligence reports said to be linking him to organised transnational cyber fraud and money laundering.

The arrest was reportedly a joint operation between Interpol and the EFCC.

News of the arrest of Mr Mustapha, widely known by his business moniker ‘Mompha’, spread quickly as a rumour across Nigerian social media Monday evening.

Mr Mustapha has cut a personality of one of Nigeria’s wealthiest socialites on the social media, using Instagram to post pictures of his family’s wealth.

It was revealed that Mompha has 651, 000, 000 followers on his Instagram page and that he almost gave struggling young men headache with the way he flaunted material acquisition online.

“Hush Puppy too should watch his step, so also E money and their ilks who flaunt questionable wealth on Instagram

“One dude on Twitter attributed his arrest to 5 million Dollars Internet scam.

“Some of his followers on Instagram used to beseech God with request for bless them like Mompha,” said a source.

In some of his most recent posts on his verified Instagram page, which has nearly 650,00 followers, Mr Mustapha featured a yellow Ferrari and a 2020 Rolls Royce Wraith Eagle VIII he claimed to have purchased for N180 million.

He reportedly said that he was the first African to own the Rolls Royce and it was only one out of 50 exotic vehicles he owned across the world.

Celebrity bloggers claimed that the Ferrari was bought earlier this year for N155 million.

Those who knew Mustapha said that he has been into bureau de change business for many years and lives in Dubai with his young family, photos of whom he also frequently posted on his page.

Mustapha was described by those who have met him in Dubai as one of the wealthiest Nigerians in the Emirate’s commercial capital.

Still, “anti-graft operatives remained concerned by Mr Mustapha’s opulence and continued to follow his financial trail,” an official said.

It was unclear whether the suspect had contacted his legal representatives and when he would be charged to court.

The arrest came as EFCC ramped up its collaboration with international crime-busting bodies like the Interpol and United States Federal Bureau of Investigation to check Internet fraud and other white-collar crimes linked to Nigerians.

EFCC said that Mompha only used the Bureau de Change business, which he owns with his siblings as a smokescreen to conceal his Internet scam business, while reiterating that at the point of his arrest at Abuja Airport, about five wrist watches valued at over 20 million naira were recovered from him.

Since August, hundreds of Nigerians have been arrested in a sweeping crackdown on suspected Internet fraudsters and money laundering gangs in the U.S. and Nigeria.

Some of those arrested during that time have been convicted and sentenced to prisons by Nigerian courts.