The Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday ordered internet celebrity Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, to open his defence in the ₦6 billion money-laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Justice Mojisola Dada dismissed Mompha’s no-case submission, ruling that the prosecution had led sufficient evidence requiring the defendant to respond to the allegations.
The judge said the court was satisfied that a prima facie case had been established, making it necessary for the defendant and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd, to enter their defence.
Mompha, who is being tried in absentia, faces an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy to launder proceeds of unlawful activity, retention of crime proceeds, failure to disclose assets, and possession of fraudulent documents. He was first arraigned on January 12, 2022.
According to the EFCC, the social media personality allegedly conspired with others to conduct financial transactions amounting to ₦5.9 billion in 2016 with the intent to promote unlawful activity—specifically obtaining money by false pretence.
The commission also accused him of possessing documents containing false claims and failing to fully disclose his assets as required by law.
During the trial, prosecution counsel Suleiman Suleiman presented five witnesses, including EFCC investigators, who tendered documents and transaction records said to link Mompha and his firm to the alleged offences.
After the prosecution closed its case, Mompha’s counsel, Kolawole Salami, made a no-case submission, arguing that the evidence led did not sufficiently connect his client to the crimes.
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He maintained that the prosecution had failed to establish the essential elements of the alleged offences and urged the court to discharge and acquit the defendant.
However, in her ruling, Justice Dada disagreed, holding that the evidence before the court required explanations from the defendant.
“The prosecution has established a prima facie case that warrants the defendants to enter their defence,” she held. “The explanations expected from the defendants make it clear that they have a case to answer.”
With the no-case submission dismissed, the court adjourned to January 27, 2026, for the defence to open its case.
The EFCC has prosecuted Mompha in several high-profile money-laundering matters over the years, making him one of Nigeria’s most controversial online personalities.
His repeated absences from court have also generated public attention, with the commission previously declaring him wanted at different stages of related proceedings.
The upcoming defence phase is expected to determine whether the case advances to final addresses or whether Mompha mounts a substantive defence against the allegations.
NAN
