Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has dismissed the no-case submission filed by social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, also known as Mompha, ordering him and his company to open their defence in a multi-billion-naira alleged money laundering case.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had, on 12 January 2022, arraigned Mompha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, on an eight-count charge.
The charges include conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, failure to disclose assets, and possession of documents containing false pretences.
One specific count alleged that Mompha, alongside another person now at large, conspired to conduct financial transactions totalling ₦5.998 billion with the intent of promoting specified unlawful activities, namely obtaining by false pretence.
Mompha, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following the prosecution’s case, which involved five witnesses, the defence counsel, Kolawole Salami, filed a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish a link between his client and the alleged crimes.
In her ruling, Justice Dada held that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against the defendants.
She therefore dismissed the submission and directed Mompha and his co-defendant to present their defence. The case has been adjourned to 27 and 28 January 2026 for the commencement of the defence.