An Ikeja Special Offences Court has closed Mompha’s defence case in his N6bn money laundering trial after his legal team repeatedly failed to produce witnesses, with the judge dismissing the delays as deliberate tactics.
The N6bn money laundering trial of social media celebrity Ismaila Mustapha, widely known as Mompha, has reached a critical turning point after an Ikeja Special Offences Court closed his defence case on Tuesday.
Justice Mojisola Dada took the decisive step after Mompha’s counsel, Kolawole Salami, again failed to produce witnesses — a pattern the court described as deliberate obstruction. The judge also set aside a witness summons filed by the defence, ruling it was issued in error.
“If you do not have a witness to call, close your defence. This is a tactic to waste the time of the court,” Justice Dada said bluntly.
The judge further noted: “This is a 2021 case,” underlining her frustration with the prolonged proceedings.
Both parties have been directed to file final written addresses, with the case adjourned until June 30 for adoption. Mompha, who has been tried in absentia, faces an eight-count charge alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd, covering conspiracy, retention of crime proceeds, and non-disclosure of assets.
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