EFCC Wins Court Ruling Against Mompha, No-Case Submission Rejected
Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has ruled that a prima facie case has been established against social media personality Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, and another defendant in their ongoing fraud trial. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced on its official X account that the court dismissed the defendants’ no-case submission, stating there is sufficient evidence to require them to enter a defence. Mompha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, face charges of alleged money laundering and operating an unlicensed bureau de change. The case has been adjourned to January 27 and 28, 2026, for further hearings. The EFCC initially accused Mompha of laundering about ₦32.9 billion, later filing an eight-count charge involving roughly ₦6 billion. The charges include conspiracy to launder funds from unlawful activities, retention of criminal proceeds, and failure to disclose assets. Mompha was granted bail in January 2022 for ₦200 million with two sureties of like sum, but his bail was revoked in June 2022 after he failed to appear in court, leading to the issuance of a bench warrant. In August 2022, the EFCC declared him wanted over alleged retention of criminal proceeds and false asset declarations. He was re-arrested in May 2023 with international assistance over the alleged laundering of ₦6 billion. By July 2024, court proceedings revealed that over ₦30 billion, suspected to be proceeds of crime, had reportedly passed through his accounts. Earlier hearings also included an FBI report suggesting that Mompha’s iPhone was used to send account details abroad and attempt fund transfers. Mompha has denied all allegations, accusing the EFCC of using his case for publicity.
