The alleged ₦6 billion money laundering charges against social media star Ismaila Mustapha, also known as Mompha, have been dropped by an Ikeja Special Offenses Court.
In her decision on Tuesday, Justice Mojisola Dada declared that the proceedings before her constituted forum shopping and an abuse of the legal system because a similar case was pending before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
As a result, the judge dismissed Mompha and struck out all eight charges against him.
On January 12, 2022, Mompha and his business, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He was on trial in absentia on charges that included conspiracy to launder money purportedly obtained through illegal activities, retention and laundering of criminal proceeds, failure to disclose assets, possession of documents with false pretenses, and use of property obtained through illegal acts.
Mompha had entered a not guilty plea to the accusations.
According to the EFCC, he, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, and Ahmadu Mohammed, who is reportedly at large, conspired in 2016 to carry out financial transactions totaling ₦6 billion in order to support illegal activities, including obtaining money under false pretenses.
In order to bolster its case, the prosecution, headed by Suleiman Suleiman, called six witnesses and submitted a number of documentary exhibits.
Mompha was allegedly granted bail on the condition that he deposit his international passport, but he later ceased to appear in court. The defense did not call any witnesses.
After his attorney, Kolawole Salami of the Gboyega Oyewole, SAN law firm, failed to present witnesses, the court closed the defense case on April 28.
Although the judge’s decision was predicated on the existence of a comparable case before the Federal High Court, the most recent ruling ends the proceedings in the Ikeja Special Offenses Court.
After a case that has lingered for far too long, we congratulate Mompha on his discharge. We’re pleased that he is now free and wish him all the best as he moves forward.
