Mompha: Court closes defence’s case in alleged N6bn money laundering

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An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday closed the case of social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, in an alleged six billion naira money laundering trial.

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Mompha is facing trial alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd.

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They are being tried on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy to launder unlawfully obtained funds, retention of proceeds of crime, and non-disclosure of assets.

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He was arraigned on Jan. 12, 2022, and is being tried in absentia.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Mojisola Dada closed the defence case on Tuesday after counsel to the defendant failed to produce witnesses.

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Dada also set aside a witness summons filed by Mompha’s lead counsel, Mr Kolawole Salami.

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She held that the witness summons was issued in error and amounted to an attempt to delay the proceedings.

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“A witness testified for the prosecution, and you want to bring him as your defence witness. Do not bring confusion here.

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“If you do not have a witness to call, close your defence. This is a tactic to waste the time of the court,” she said.

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The judge said the defence had ample opportunity to cross-examine the witness and that no new evidence was expected.

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She directed the defence to file its final written address.

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“There is nothing new the witness is coming to say that has not already been addressed under cross-examination.

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“The witness had ample opportunity for cross-examination, which the defence did. This is a 2021 case.

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“On the penultimate adjournment, you were not in court and only sent a letter. Today, I have closed your defence,” she said.

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The court consequently ordered parties to file their final written addresses and adjourned the case until June 30 for adoption.

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Earlier, defence counsel, Salami, informed the court of difficulties in producing witnesses, saying efforts made had proved abortive.

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“We made serious efforts to bring our witnesses to court this morning, but all to no avail,” he said.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr Suleiman Suleiman, opposed the application, describing it as a delay tactic.

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“This court has afforded the defence ample time to present their witnesses. This is an attempt to waste the time of the court,” he said.

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He urged the court to close the defence case.

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NAN reports that the court also granted leave for the defence to appeal the ruling delivered on Nov. 4, 2025, which dismissed their no-case submission.

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The defence had on Feb. 23 informed the court of its intention to challenge the ruling, arguing that no prima facie case had been established by the prosecution.

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Counsel had expressed confidence that the appellate court would uphold their no-case submission and overturn the lower court’s decision.

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He had also informed the court that the witness was unavailable and outside jurisdiction, praying for an adjournment.

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The court warned against further delay tactics, describing the adjournment as final.

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