Kemisola Oye
JUSTICE Mojisola Dada of a Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has admitted more evidence against Ismaila Mustapha (better known as Mompha).
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 resumed hearing in the matter, on today 3rd December 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its counsel, Suleiman Suleiman, continued with his witness PW 6, Detective Idi Musa, by presenting Mompha’s iPhone to court which he claimed was used for fraudulent practices, and tender it as an exhibit.
However, Mompha’s counsel, Ademola Adefolaju, objected to it being admitted as an exhibit, stating that a proper foundation was not laid in respect of the phone. He urged the court not to admit it as an exhibit.
“My lord, I am objecting to it on the ground that proper foundation was not laid in respect of the iPhone and should not be admitted in court,” Adefolaju had said.
However, the judge overruled the objection and upheld the arguments of the prosecution who maintained that during the investigation, the phone was recovered from the suspect and was taken to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for further forensic analysis to which representative of FBI (PW3) confirmed before the court that documents were printed out from the phone which have been tendered before the court.
The court, however, overruled the arguments of the defence, admitted the phone as an exhibit and marked it as Exhibit P7.
Consequently, Justice Dada adjourned the case till 3rd February 2025 for continuation of trial.
Eighteen-Eleven Media reports that Mompha jumped bail during the pendency of the suit. After a series of adjournments, the court decided to try him in absentia.
Eighteen-Eleven Media