Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has dismissed the no-case submission filed by social media celebrity Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, ruling that a prima facie case has been established against him and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited.
The court held that there was sufficient evidence for the defendants to enter their defence in the ongoing money laundering trial.
According to a post on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s official X handle on Tuesday, the judge’s ruling paves the way for the continuation of the high-profile case.
The EFCC is prosecuting Mompha and his company for alleged involvement in money laundering and operating an unlicensed bureau de change. The matter was adjourned to January 27 and 28, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
Mompha’s legal troubles date back several years. The EFCC had earlier accused him of laundering ₦32.9 billion, later filing an eight-count charge involving approximately ₦6 billion. The allegations include conspiracy to launder criminal proceeds, retention of funds obtained through unlawful activity, and failure to disclose assets.
He was initially granted bail of ₦200 million in 2022, which was later revoked after he failed to appear in court. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest, and the EFCC declared him wanted in August 2022.
In May 2023, the anti-graft agency announced that Mompha had been re-arrested in collaboration with international partners. Court proceedings in 2024 revealed that more than ₦30 billion in suspected criminal proceeds had allegedly passed through his accounts.
During earlier hearings, the court admitted a report from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which alleged that Mompha’s iPhone was used to facilitate international fund transfers.
Mompha, however, has denied all charges, accusing the EFCC of using his case for publicity and maintaining that he is innocent.
The case remains one of Nigeria’s most closely watched financial crime trials, drawing attention due to Mompha’s celebrity status and extravagant lifestyle showcased on social media.
