Alleged N6bn Money Laundering: Court Dismisses Mompha’s No-Case Submission

Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has dismissed the no-case submission filed by social media celebrity Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, in their ongoing money laundering trial.

Mompha and his firm were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on January 12, 2022, on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activities, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, failure to disclose assets, and possession of fraudulent documents.

One of the charges reads:

“Ismaila Mustapha, Ahmadu Mohammed (at large), and Ismalob Global Investment Limited, sometime in 2016, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to conduct financial transactions to the tune of N5,998,884,653.18 (Five Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty-Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Fifty-Three Naira, Eighteen Kobo) with intent to promote the carrying on of unlawful activities, to wit: obtaining by false pretence.”

Mompha pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

During trial, the prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, called five witnesses before closing the case. In response, defence counsel, Kolawole Salami, filed a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution failed to link the defendants to the alleged offences.

Delivering her ruling on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Justice Dada held that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against Mompha and his company.

Consequently, the court dismissed the no-case submission and directed the defendants to open their defence.

The case was adjourned to January 27 and 28, 2026, for the commencement of the defence.