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Court admits FBI report claiming Mompha used iPhone for N6bn fraud

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An Ikeja special offences court has admitted more documents in evidence against Ismaila Mustapha, the socialite better known as Mompha.

At the court session on Monday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, Suleiman Suleiman, presented two documents, including a letter by the commission to the United States of America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and an investigative report by the bureau.

The investigative report claimed Mompha’s iPhone was used for fraudulent practices.

The prosecution witness, Ayotunde Solademi, an FBI representative, said the bureau’s forensic operations revealed that Mompha’s iPhone was used to send account details to a United Arab Emirates (UAE) telephone number, search for swift codes of a bank, and had a compromised Microsoft 365 account.

“The iPhone had a compromised Microsoft 365 account and attackers used a fraudulent domain to socially engineer communication to their [Mompha’s] company,” the FBI representative told the court.

The prosecution witness also told the court that the FBI discovered during analysis that Mompha’s iPhone was also used to change payment delivery from cheque to wire transfer.

“The iPhone was used to make three attempts to transfer funds. The first two failed, but the third was successful,” he said.

Under cross-examination, Kolawole Salami, counsel to Mompha, read from a paragraph of the documents which stated that the FBI documents are not to be used in a legal proceeding except after a separate communication has been made.

Responding, the witness said his presence in court to give evidence amounted to a separate communication from the FBI that allowed for the use of the documents in court.

The witness also admitted that he was not aware whether the FBI ever arrested the defendant.

He added that the FBI forensic analysis of Mompha’s iPhone was commissioned at the request of the EFCC.

Earlier, Mompha’s counsel had objected to the admissibility of the documents in evidence, arguing that they must first be certified by the United States Consulate.

“The documents are not certified true copies, and should not be admitted in court,” Salami had said.

However, the judge overruled the objection and upheld the arguments of the prosecution who maintained that the FBI documents were original.

“The documents do not require certification,” the judge ruled.

Entertainment

Jackson 5 legend, Tito Jackson, dies at 70

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Tito Jackson, an original member of the iconic Jackson 5 and brother of the late Michael Jackson, has died at 70.

Known for his timeless hits like ABC and I Want You Back, Tito’s death was confirmed by his sons in a heartfelt Instagram post on Monday.

An official cause of death is yet to be revealed.

The Jackson family mourns the loss of another music legend.

Tito performed in the iconic ensemble with brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael, who died in 2009.

Steve Manning, a long-time Jackson family friend and former Jackson family manager, told Entertainment Tonight that Jackson died on Monday.

The news was confirmed in an Instagram post by his three sons, Taj, Taryll and TJ Jackson, who were themselves an R’n’B/pop trio, 3T, in the 1990s.

“We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken,” they wrote. “Our father was an incredible man who cared about everyone and their well-being.”

They continued, “He will be missed tremendously. It will forever be ‘Tito Time” for us.

“Please remember to do what our father always preached and that is ‘Love One Another’. We love you Pops.”

The Jackson 5’s hits included ABC, The Love You Save and I Want You Back.

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Entertainment

Court bars event in memory of Mohbad

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A High Court in Ogun State has imposed an interim injunction prohibiting a planned event in memory of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, aka Mohbad.

The legal team of the deceased family disclosed this in a statement signed by its representative, Monisola Odumosu, and exclusively obtained by PUNCH Metro, on Sunday.

Odumosu noted that the court’s decision, handed down by Justice O. Osunfisan, on Thursday, was in response to a motion filed by the late Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, represented by Emmanuel Oroko.

According to the statement, the injunction specifically targeted plans to host the ‘Sing for Mohbad and Win’ event, scheduled for September 12-14, 2024 in the state or any other location.

“In the motion with suit number HCT/871/2024 Justice Osunfisan ordered as follows ‘ An order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the respondent whether by himself servants, agents,assigns or otherwise however called from holding any event titled ‘Sing for Mohbad and Win’ organised by the respondent which is set to be held on September 12, 13, and 14, 2024, at the Aqua Lounge or any other place pending the determination of the originating motion for interlocutory injunction dated and filed on September 6, 2024. The order of interim injunction hereby granted today, the 12 day of September 2024, is to last for seven days following the provision of the Rules of Court,” the statement read in part.

The Aloba family, who initiated the legal action, had previously appealed to the public to respect their moment of grief and refrain from commercialising the occasion by exploiting the goodwill of their late son.

Odumosu however stated that the matter was set to return to court on October 7, 2024, for the hearing of the originating motion for interlocutory injunction.

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Mercy Johnson under fire for campaigning for APC’s Okpebholo

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Mercy Johnson-Okojie, the Nollywood actress, has been criticised on social media for campaigning for Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate in the upcoming Edo election.

A now-viral video shows Mercy soliciting votes for Okpebholo at a rally. She also assured the crowd that the APC gubernatorial candidate will “bring positive changes” to the state.

“Are you not tired? No light, water, healthcare, security and good roads. If you will vote for senator Monday, raise your hand,” she said.

“…So when you get to that field early in the morning, vote for Monday, vote for APC, vote for the broom.”

The video has triggered backlash on social media with critics slamming the actress for supporting the ruling party despite widespread economic hardship.

“Mercy Johnson is just a cheap opportunistic agbero with zero class and zero morality in my opinion. Imagine supporting blabbing Tinubu and now also supporting Illiterate Monday Okpebholo of all people. Talent is really not enough,” an X user wrote.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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