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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

“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.

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

She directed the defence to file its final written address.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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.

He urged the court to close the defence case.

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.

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.

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

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

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