•Mompha and the EFCC logo
The Special Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has admitted more evidence against internet celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, also known as Mompha.
Justice Mojisola Dada overruled the objections of the defendant’s counsel to admit Mompha’s iPhone as evidence, reports Channels TV.
Mompha alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, are facing an eight-count charge of conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity, failure to disclose assets and property, possession of documents containing false pretence and use of property derived from an unlawful act.
At the hearing of the matter, on December 3, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through its counsel, Suleiman Suleiman, continued with the testimony of his witness PW 6, Detective Idi Musa, who presented Mompha’s iPhone in court.
Musa claimed the iPhone was used for fraudulent practices, and the EFCC subsequently sought to tender it as Exhibit.
Mompha’s counsel, Ademola Adefolaju, however, raised objections on the grounds that no proper foundation was laid in respect of the iPhone. He urged the court not to admit it as Exhibit.
He said, “My lord, I’m objecting to it, on the ground that proper foundation was not laid in respect of the iPhone, and so it should not be admitted in court”.
The prosecution countered by insisting that during the investigation, the iPhone was recovered from the suspect and taken to the FBI for further forensic analysis, a fact that the representative of the FBI via PW3 had confirmed before the Court.
The prosecution also submitted that documents printed out from the iPhone had been tendered before the Court.
After listening to the submissions, Justice Dada overruled the objections and admitted the iPhone in evidence. It was marked as Exhibit P7.
Justice Dada has adjourned the case till February 3, 2025, for continuation of trial.
