Absence of prosecution witness yesterday stalled trial of Instagram celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, alias Mompha on the alleged N6 billion money laundering charges before a Special Offences Court, Ikeja.
Mompha, who is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering, was also not present in court.
The trial judge, Justice Mojisola Dada had in September 2022, ordered Mompha’s trial in absentia, months after revoking his bail for failing to attend his trial.
However, at the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, a lawyer from the EFCC, A. S. Wara, informed the court that the prosecution’s witness, Olayinka Jimoh, a.k.a. Nappy, who had testified at the last hearing on December 19, 2023, was indisposed.
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Jimoh did not say anything further except to pray the court for an adjournment.
But Mompha’s lawyer, Kolawole Salami, vehemently opposed the lawyer’s request for adjournment on the ground that the EFCC failed to give cogent reasons for its witness’ absence.
Justice Dada after listening to the lawyers’ arguments, adjourned the matter to March 6 for continuation of trial.
The EFCC had on January 12, 2022 arraigned the defendant alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, on an eight-count charge of money laundering amounting to N6 billion.
The charges against Mompha include conspiracy and money laundering of N6bn involving proceeds of unlawful activities.
He was also accused of retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, use of property derived from an unlawful act, and failure to disclose assets.