A Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has fixed October 15, 2026, for judgement in the alleged N6 billion money laundering case involving social media personality, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made this known in a post on its verified Facebook page on Tuesday.
The trial judge, Mojisola Dada, reserved judgement on Tuesday after counsel to the prosecution and defence adopted their final written addresses, signalling the close of proceedings in the over four-year-old trial.
Recall that Mompah and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, were arraigned by the EFCC on January 12, 2022, on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy to launder funds allegedly obtained through unlawful activities, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, failure to disclose assets, and possession of documents containing false pretences, among other offences.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendants conducted financial transactions running into about N6 billion, which it said were linked to proceeds of unlawful activities. The Commission also accused Mompha of failing to disclose certain assets, including luxury wristwatches, as required by law. Mompha has consistently denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
During the trial, the EFCC called five witnesses and tendered several documentary exhibits to support its case before closing its prosecution. Following the close of the prosecution’s case, the defence filed a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case linking the defendants to the alleged offences.
However, in a ruling delivered on November 4, 2025, Justice Dada dismissed the no-case submission, holding that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence requiring the defendants to enter their defence. The court ruled that the evidence placed before it warranted an explanation from the defendants.
The defence subsequently challenged that ruling at the Court of Appeal while indicating its intention to call witnesses. However, after repeated adjournments, defence counsel informed the court that efforts to secure the attendance of the proposed witnesses had been unsuccessful.
The prosecution, led by EFCC counsel Suleiman Suleiman, opposed further delays, arguing that the defence had been given adequate opportunity to present its case and describing the applications for additional time as tactics aimed at prolonging the trial.
Justice Dada agreed with the prosecution, describing the attempted witness summons as an effort that would unnecessarily delay proceedings. She consequently closed the defence’s case and directed both parties to file their final written addresses for adoption.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel for both parties formally adopted their final written submissions and urged the court to uphold their respective positions. The prosecution asked the court to convict the defendants based on the evidence presented during the trial, while the defence maintained that the prosecution had failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt and urged the court to discharge and acquit the defendants.
After listening to both sides, Justice Dada consequently reserved judgement until October 15, 2026.
