The Special Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has admitted additional evidence against internet celebrity Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha.
Justice Mojisola Dada dismissed the objections of the defendant’s counsel and allowed Mompha’s iPhone to be admitted as evidence.
Mompha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, face an eight-count charge, including conspiracy to launder funds obtained through unlawful activity, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, laundering funds derived from unlawful activity, failure to disclose assets and property, possession of documents containing false pretences, and the use of property derived from an unlawful act.
During the hearing on 3 December, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by its counsel Suleiman Suleiman, continued presenting evidence through its witness, Detective Idi Musa (PW6), who produced Mompha’s iPhone in court.
Musa alleged that the iPhone had been used for fraudulent activities and the EFCC sought to tender it as an exhibit.
However, Mompha’s counsel, Ademola Adefolaju, objected on the grounds that a proper foundation for the iPhone’s admission as evidence had not been established.
“My lord, I object to the admission of the iPhone on the basis that proper foundation was not laid, and it should therefore not be admitted in court,” Adefolaju argued.
The prosecution countered, stating that the iPhone had been recovered from the defendant during the investigation and sent to the FBI for forensic analysis. This process was confirmed by an FBI representative via PW3 in earlier testimony.The prosecution also highlighted that documents extracted from the iPhone had already been submitted to the court.
After reviewing the arguments, Justice Dada overruled the defence’s objections and admitted the iPhone as evidence, marking it as Exhibit P7.
The case has been adjourned until 3 February 2025 for the continuation of the trial.