A Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has rejected a no-case submission filed by Nigerian internet personality Ismaila Mustapha (Mompha) in his ₦6 billion money laundering case.
In a ruling on Tuesday, Justice Mojisola Dada held that the prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had presented sufficient evidence establishing a prima facie case against Mompha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd.
The judge said the testimony and exhibits tendered “require explanations from the defendants,” and therefore ordered them to open their defence.
Mompha is facing an eight-count charge of conspiracy to launder proceeds of unlawful activity, retention of crime proceeds, failure to disclose assets, and possession of fraudulent documents.
According to the EFCC, the defendants conspired to conduct financial transactions amounting to ₦5.9 billion in 2016, allegedly to promote unlawful activities.
Prosecutor Seliman Suleiman called five witnesses during the trial before closing the commission’s case.
Mompha, who is being tried in absentia, denied the allegations through his lawyer Kolawole Salami, who argued that the EFCC had failed to establish any link between the defendant and the alleged offences.
Justice Dada adjourned the matter until 27 January 2026 for the defence to open its case.
