The continuing trial of social media celebrity Ismaila Mustapha (alias Mompha) before an Ikeja Special Offences Court for suspected N6bn money laundering was halted on Wednesday due to the absence of a prosecution witness.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is prosecuting Mompha and his firm, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, on eight counts relating to conspiracy and the laundering of N6 billion.
On Wednesday, during the defendant’s resumed (in absentia) trial, the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari-Bala, informed the court that the witness she intended to summon was currently outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Buhari-Bala told the court that the witness, who is a staff of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, was undergoing a three-month workshop abroad, hence he was unable to be in court today.
She also urged the court to allow the witness to give his evidence via virtual hearing.
“My lord, we are sorry our witness could not make it to court today because he is out of the country for training.
“We, however, apply that the witness evidence be taken virtually,” she said.
The defence counsel, Mr Kolawole Salami, however, objected to the prosecution submission, adding that since the prosecution knew that she would be applying for virtual proceedings, she ought to have applied to court since September when the matter came up.
The lawyers said, “The delay today was caused by the prosecution. We are ready for today’s proceedings.”
Salami argued that the prosecution had ample time to prepare and bring their witnesses.
“My lord, the prosecution had enough time to prepare and bring their witnesses, only to make an application for a virtual hearing this morning without any notification.
“We ask that their oral application be dismissed,” Salami said.
After taking the submissions of both parties, Justice Dada, in a short ruling, rejected the application of the prosecution and adjourned the case until December 19, 2023, for continuation of trial.
On the last adjourned date of September 18, 2023, the EFCC had tendered some documents through a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent, Mr Ayotunde Solademi, against Mompha.
The documents were reports by the FBI and an investigative report on Mompha’s iPhone which the agency claimed was used for fraudulent activities.
Mompha’s trial in absentia started on June 3, 2023, when a compliance officer with Access Bank testified against him.
Mustapha is being prosecuted alongside his company Ismalob Global Investment Limited by the EFCC on eight counts bordering on conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of over N6bn.
Mustapha was arrested on January 10, 2022, by the EFCC.