MOMPHA, COMPANY CHALLENGE NO-CASE RULING AT APPEAL COURT IN ALLEGED N5.9BN MONEY LAUNDERING TRIAL
Read Time:2 Minute, 51 Second
By Aishat Momoh. O.
Social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, and his firm, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, have approached the Court of Appeal to challenge a ruling of the Lagos State Special Offences Court dismissing their no-case submission in an ongoing alleged money laundering trial.
Defence counsel, Kolawole Salami, informed the court on February 23, 2026, that the defendants had filed an application seeking leave to appeal the November 4, 2025 ruling delivered by Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja.
Salami told the court that the defendants were dissatisfied with the High Court’s decision, which held that a prima facie case had been established against them, thereby ordering them to open their defence.
According to him, the defendants maintain that the prosecution failed to establish sufficient evidence linking them to the alleged offences and expressed confidence that the appellate court would uphold their no-case submission and overturn the lower court’s ruling.
He added that the defendants were committed to diligently prosecuting the appeal and urged the court to grant the reliefs sought in the interest of justice.
However, prosecuting counsel, S. I. Suleiman, opposed the application, arguing that the matter had been scheduled for the defence to open its case. He told the court that the prosecution was unaware of the application and urged Justice Dada to direct the defendants to proceed with their defence.
“The case has been ongoing since 2021 and adjourned since 2025 for defence to open their case. They had ample time to prepare, but coming to court with such an application today is not proper,” Suleiman submitted.
In response, Salami maintained that the application had been filed and served on the prosecution since November 26, 2025.
Justice Dada directed the defence to proceed with its case, noting that filing an appeal is a constitutional right of the defendants and that the application could be addressed after the day’s proceedings.
“You are aware of today’s proceedings. You have the right to appeal; it is your constitutional right,” the judge said.
Defence counsel subsequently informed the court that he was unable to produce his witness, explaining that the witness was unaware of the hearing date and was currently outside the court’s jurisdiction. He sought an adjournment, assuring the court that the witness would be present at the next sitting.
The court warned against delay tactics and described the adjournment as a final indulgence.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Mompha and his company 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.
One of the charges alleges that the defendants conspired in 2016 to conduct financial transactions amounting to N5,998,884,653.18 with the intent of promoting unlawful activities.
Mompha pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The prosecution called five witnesses before closing its case. The defence thereafter filed a no-case submission, contending that no evidence sufficiently linked the defendants to the alleged offences.
In her November 4, 2025 ruling, Justice Dada dismissed the no-case submission, holding that the prosecution had established a prima facie case and ordered the defendants to open their defence.
The matter has been adjourned to April 28, 2026, for continuation of trial.
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