Court to give ruling in Mompha's N6bn money laundering case

The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has set 15 October for the ruling in the N6 billion money laundering case of social media figure Ismaila Mustapha, known as Mompha.

Judge Mojisola Dada scheduled the date after listening to the final written arguments from both the prosecution and the defence. This information was shared on Tuesday by Dele Oyewale, spokesperson for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC charged Mr Mustapha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, on 12 January 2022 with eight counts. These include conspiracy to launder funds believed to be from illegal activities, keeping proceeds from criminal acts, failing to declare assets, and possessing documents that contain false information, among other charges.

One charge claims that Mr Mustapha, along with Ahmadu Mohammed, who is currently missing, and Ismalob Global Investment Limited worked together in 2016 to carry out financial transactions worth N5,998,884,653.18 with the goal of supporting illegal activities, specifically obtaining money through deception.

During the trial, the prosecution, led by S. I. Suleiman, presented six witnesses and submitted various documents before concluding its case.

At the hearing on Tuesday, defence lawyer Kolawole Salami presented the final written argument dated 18 June. He argued that the prosecution did not prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Mr Salami noted that the decision by his clients not to present a defence does not relieve the prosecution of its responsibility to prove every part of the charges.

He insisted that the prosecution failed to prove the crimes listed in Counts One to Six, especially the claim of obtaining money by deception.

The defence lawyer also pointed out that Exhibit P5, the statement used by the prosecution, was just a statement and did not prove the charges.

He further claimed that none of the prosecution witnesses, especially the sixth witness, EFCC investigator Idi Musa, provided any direct or circumstantial evidence to support the conspiracy charge.

Mr Salami then urged the court to dismiss the case against the defendants.

In response, Mr Suleiman presented the prosecution's final written argument and asked the court to reject the defence's claims and convict the defendants as charged.

He argued that the prosecution called six witnesses and provided enough documentary evidence to support the charges.

Mr Suleiman said, "From the evidence before the court, it is our humble submission that the opportunity has once again presented itself for the invocation of the judicial powers of this court to send a clear signal and warning to persons engaging in nefarious activities that cast the image of the country in a bad light among the comity of nations. The defendants availed their bank accounts to internet fraudsters to launder funds derived from fraudulent sources."

He added that a conviction would deter the defendants and others from similar crimes that could damage Nigeria’s reputation.

After hearing from both sides, Ms Dada reserved her judgment until 15 October.

Tuesday’s proceedings marked the latest stage in a trial that has lasted more than four years.

Mr Mustapha and his company pleaded not guilty after their arraignment by the EFCC on 12 January 2022 on the eight-count charge.

In November 2025, Ms Dada rejected a no-case submission made by the defendants, ruling that the prosecution had made a prima facie case that required them to respond.

The judge stated that the evidence from the prosecution provided enough grounds for the defendants to answer the accusations.

The defence later indicated plans to appeal the ruling, insisting that the prosecution did not connect Mr Mustapha to the alleged crimes. The court allowed the appeal while letting the trial continue.

When the case moved to the defence stage, things changed again on 28 April when Mr Mustapha’s lawyer chose not to bring in any witnesses. Ms Dada then closed the defence’s case and set aside a witness summons filed by the defence, calling it a mistake meant to delay the trial.

She ruled that the witness the defence wanted to call had already testified for the prosecution and had been thoroughly cross-examined, leaving no new evidence.

The judge directed both sides to file their final written addresses, leading to their adoption.

Throughout the trial, Mr Mustapha has denied any wrongdoing.