In the money laundering trial of Ismaila Mustapha alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, the Special Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has ruled to admit more evidence against the internet celebrity, also known as Mompha.
The allegations against Ismaila Mustapha include an eight-count charge of conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity.
The defendant’s attorney objected to the admission of Mompha’s iPhone as evidence, but Justice Mojisola Dada overruled their concerns.
Mompha and Ismalob Global Investment Limited are accused of eight counts: conspiracy to launder funds obtained through illegal activity, failure to disclose assets and property, laundering of funds obtained through illegal activity, possession of documents containing false pretences, and use of property derived from illegal activity.
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.
The EFCC then attempted to offer the iPhone as evidence after Musa alleged it was used for fraudulent purposes.
However, Ademola Adefolaju, Mompha’s attorney, objected, claiming that no appropriate basis had been established regarding the iPhone. He pleaded with the court to reject it as an 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.
Additionally, the prosecution claimed that the court had received documents printed from the iPhone.
Justice Dada dismissed the objections and allowed the iPhone to be used as evidence after hearing the submissions. It had the designation Exhibit P7.
To continue the trial, Justice Dada has postponed the case until February 3, 2025.
