The news of Ismaila Mustapha aka Mompha’s arrest on the 22nd of October 2019 while on his way to board a plane from Abuja to Dubai took a large chunk of Nigerians by surprise, but to the keen-eyed fellas, it was a long awaited call.
The Instagram Big-boy just like many of his kind, made things easy for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission by loudly showing off his wealth on social media.
His ostensible way of life aroused suspicion from Nigerians especially for the fact that he had no known legitimate source/s of income. Those who dared to ask were cajoled to embrace silence by his ever growing list of benefactors, sycophants and wannabes.
He traveled extensively boarding firstclass tickets, buying luxury cars, designer wears and living in mansions only found in the creative minds of a few writers.
Mompha lived like a king. It wasn’t like he won a jackpot, neither did he inherit billions of pounds from a benevolent god. No! He just suddenly became stupendously rich.
Although he could pass for a money bag like the legendary boxer, Floyd Mayweather who shows off his wealth on social media, Mompha had a questionable source of income.
Like most scammers who cannot overcome the urge to show that they have ‘arrived’, Mompha took the bait.
His arrest has fueled rumours that the EFCC and International Criminal Police Organization aka INTERPOL may be after people like him who display outrageous wealth on social media but cannot show legitimate proof of their source/s of income.
That is where Dubai-based big boy, Raymond Igbalodely aka Hushpuppi comes in.
Without mincing words, Mompha and Hushpuppi share very striking similarities. They both do not have any known source/s of income justifying the kind of life they live. They both became suddenly rich, a trait peculiar with cyber criminals.
Not until recently did Hushpuppi reveal that he is into real estate following the arrest of Mompha. Many people believe that him adding the tag is a ploy to play safe. But the question must be asked: how many real estate agents live the life of luxury that Hushpuppi enjoys? That is why Nigerians on social media have called on the EFCC to arrest Hushpuppi and that wish may soon come true.
EFCC while responding to the call for Hushpuppi’s arrest after a Nigerian asked them to go after social media celebrities featured in the song titled ‘Living Things’ by hip hop artiste, Abolore Akande aka 9ice, said that only a petition is needed for its men to swing into action.
Unlike Mompha, Hushpuppi has not visited Nigeria for sometime now and may already be on the watch list of INTERPOL. Just like Invictus Obinwanne and many others were nabbed in the United States after thorough investigation, the INTERPOL might already be compiling solid evidence to nail Hushpuppi who leaves in Dubai. If I were him, I will start making plans for the D-day because I can bet one of my balls that the anti-graft agencies are on his trail.
For now, it looks inevitable and ‘e go loud’.
According to the EFCC, Mompha defrauded N33 billion from his victims. The EFCC said he was a part of an international fraud syndicate based in Dubai. He was arrested with watches valued at N60 million. Mompha also operated 51 bank accounts in Nigeria according to the anti-graft agency.
Mompha is so stinkingly rich that two days after becoming the first African to own the N180million 2020 Rolls Royce Wraith VIII car, he bought himself another expensive Ferrari 488 Spider car. He also has the 2019 Mercedes Benz G63 AMG, a 2018 Rolls Royce Wraith, a Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, and lots more.
Prior to his arrest, Mompha was living the life many people dream about. How he made his money is still a mystery yet to be unraveled in full by the EFCC. For now, he is still in the custody of the EFCC to answer questions how he came about his sudden wealth.
As for Hushpuppi, he should be on the lookout because he may just be next.
Written by: Alexander Thandi Ubani. He writes from Lagos.
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