Doha – Moroccan radio host Mohamed Bousfiha, famously known as “Momo,” has returned to his professional activities at “Hit Radio” after the major controversy that followed one of the episodes of his popular “Momo Ramadan Show.” The incident led to his prosecution and an initial sentencing of four months in prison.
On Monday, Momo returned to the radio station to present his “Momo Morning Show” while awaiting a decision from the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) regarding his case. He began working on new topics and presenting segments of the program without delving into the details of his legal issues or discussing them on air.
In a video shared on his official social media pages, Momo exposed the fabrication of a live theft during his show “Momo Ramadan Show.” A listener called in, claiming that his mobile phone was stolen on air. Momo vehemently denied any prior knowledge or agreement with the listener, expressing his complete trust in the Moroccan judiciary.
Momo explained that he received a live call from a listener to participate in his entertainment program. He and the show’s crew were surprised by the alleged theft of the listener’s phone, he said. Momo expressed his displeasure with the incident and felt guilty, deciding to gift the caller a new iPhone after the listener stated that his stolen phone was new.
When Momo called the listener back, he asked if a complaint had been filed with the authorities. The listener replied that the theft location lacked surveillance cameras. Momo insisted that the authorities must be informed.
Read also: ‘Momo Show’: Hit Radio Denies Involvement in Staged On-Air Robbery
He further revealed that the person who complained about the theft was not the same person who received the new phone, but rather an accomplice in the fabrication to obtain the phone. The radio station’s rules prevent previous contest winners from winning again.
Following the uproar caused by the fabricated theft call, the Casablanca Court of First Instance sentenced Momo to four months in prison. However, he appealed the verdict, which prevented his immediate arrest.
Momo’s return to his morning show comes less than two weeks after the initial court ruling. He had been absent from the show last month, when the “fabricated theft” case took a significant turn with the involvement of law enforcement authorities and the public prosecutor’s office.
During Monday’s show, Momo asked his listeners three questions, which some speculated were related to the recent crisis he experienced. The questions revolved around the strangest situations they had encountered with neighbors, moments of hesitation in their lives, and the suggestion of someone seriously offering help to his followers.
Momo’s appearance follows the decision of the Ain Sebaa Criminal Court on April 9, 2024, to sentence him to four months in prison for his involvement in the fabricated phone theft case. The verdict was immediately appealed, preventing Momo’s arrest, especially since he was being prosecuted while on provisional release.
