The case of Ghanaian social media influencer Mona Faiz Montrage, known by her monikers Hajia4Reall or Mona4Reall, has taken a significant turn as a US District Court judge granted her request for self-deportation back to Ghana. Judge J. Paul Oetken of the Southern District of New York authorized the release of Montrage’s passport, paving the way for her exit from the United States after serving her sentence.
Montrage, who is currently at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, is nearing the end of her 12-month incarceration. Her legal team from Fast Law initiated the request for her passport’s return on November 1, 2024, aiming to expedite her return to Ghana.
“We are respectfully seeking the return of Ms. Montrage’s passport to initiate her self-deportation proceedings to Ghana,” stated the legal team in documents. Assistant US Attorney Kevin Mead confirmed that the government did not oppose the motion.
This judicial decision marks a pivotal moment in Montrage’s legal journey, which began when she pleaded guilty on February 21, 2024, to charges of conspiracy to accept stolen money. She was later sentenced on June 28, 2024, to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, Montrage was ordered to forfeit $216,475 and provide restitution of $1,387,458.
The news of her impending return has sparked excitement among many in Ghana, where Montrage had a significant online presence before her legal troubles began. She has been largely out of the public eye since her arrest, but her case has remained a topic of keen interest both locally and internationally.
As Montrage prepares for her return, the implications of her case continue to resonate, highlighting issues of internet fraud, international legal cooperation, and the personal ramifications for those involved in such schemes. Her story serves as a cautionary tale in an era where social media influencers can wield considerable influence but also face substantial risks when their actions cross legal boundaries.
