N6bn fraud: Court rejects no-case submission, orders Mompha to enter defence

The Special Offences Court sitting in the Ikeja area of Lagos State has dismissed a no-case submission by internet celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, fondly called Mompha, over an alleged N6 billion money laundering charges.

The presiding judge, Justice Mojisola Dada, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, ordered Mompha to begin his defence.

The defendant is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, on an eight-count-charge.

Mompha was arraigned on January 12, 2022, and has since been tried in absentia.

The charges borders on conspiracy to launder funds obtained unlawfully, retention of crime proceeds, non-disclosure of assets and possession of documents containing false pretences.

In a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Dada held that a prima facie case has been successfully established against Mompha.

The judge declared that the evidence presented by the prosecution required explanation from the defendants, adding that the court is satisfied that they have a case to answer.

EFCC re-arrests Mompha for N6bn money laundering

Justice Dada adjourned the matter to January 27 and 28, 2026, for the continuation of hearing.

The defendants were alleged to have conspired to conduct financial transactions amounting to N6 billion in 2016.

They were alleged to have conducted the transactions with intent to promote unlawful activities, specifically obtaining by false pretence.

During trial, the prosecutor, Seliman Suleiman, led five witnesses in evidence before closing the case for the prosecution.

Mompha, who had earlier pleaded not guilty to all charges, through his counsel, Kolawole Salami, filed a no-case submission, claiming he had no case to answer.

The lawyer argued that the prosecution failed to link the defendant with the offences as charged.

The Star