Court Fixes October 15 for Judgment in Mompha’s N6 Billion Money Laundering Trial
The Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has fixed October 15, 2026, for judgment in the alleged N6 billion money laundering case involving popular social media personality, Ismaila Mustapha, widely known as Mompha.
Justice Mojisola Dada scheduled the judgment after both the prosecution and defence adopted their final written addresses, bringing the long-running trial closer to its conclusion.
Mompha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in January 2022 on an eight-count charge bordering on money laundering, conspiracy, retention of proceeds of unlawful activities, failure to disclose assets, and possession of documents containing false pretences.
According to the EFCC, the defendants allegedly carried out financial transactions worth nearly N6 billion with the intention of concealing and promoting proceeds believed to have originated from fraudulent activities.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the transactions were conducted alongside another suspect who is currently at large.
During the trial, the prosecution presented six witnesses and tendered several documentary exhibits before closing its case.
At the final hearing, defence counsel Kolawole Salami argued that the prosecution failed to establish the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
He maintained that the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence linking his client to the offences contained in the charge.
The lawyer further argued that the defendants’ decision not to call witnesses did not remove the prosecution’s legal responsibility to prove every allegation before the court.
He also challenged the admissibility and evidential value of some of the prosecution’s documents, insisting that they were insufficient to sustain the charges.
According to the defence, none of the prosecution witnesses provided direct or circumstantial evidence capable of proving the alleged conspiracy or money laundering offences.
Counsel therefore urged the court to discharge and acquit both Mompha and his company.
Responding, prosecuting counsel S. I. Suleiman insisted that the EFCC had successfully established its case through witness testimonies and documentary evidence presented before the court.
He argued that the evidence demonstrated that the defendants allegedly allowed their financial accounts to be used in laundering proceeds of internet fraud.
The prosecution urged the court to convict the defendants, stating that such a judgment would serve as a strong deterrent against financial crimes capable of damaging Nigeria’s international reputation.
After listening to submissions from both parties, Justice Dada reserved judgment until October 15.
The case has remained before the court for more than four years since the defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
In 2025, the court dismissed a no-case submission filed by the defence, ruling that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring the defendants to respond.
Although the defence indicated its intention to challenge that ruling at the Court of Appeal, the trial continued.
During the defence stage, Mompha’s legal team eventually chose not to call any witnesses, leading the court to close the defence’s case and direct both parties to file their final written addresses.
Throughout the proceedings, Mompha has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining his innocence as he awaits the court’s final judgment.
