Fidelity Bank staff testifies against Mompha in money laundering trial

On Monday, Fidelity Bank compliance officer Ezekoli Ozoemenam testified against social media celebrity Ismaila Mustapha, known as Mompha, who is facing trial over money laundering charges involving N6 billion.

Ozoemenam, the fourth prosecution witness, was led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr. Suleiman Suleiman. The witness provided details about an account at the bank allegedly linked to Mompha. The prosecution subsequently tendered the document and requested that the court admit it as evidence.

Defense counsel, Mr. Kolawole Salami, stated he would reserve his objection to the admission of the document.

The EFCC counsel then requested a witness summons to compel the appearance of their next witness, citing concerns about the witness’s safety due to threats. Justice Mojisola Dada responded that it is the prosecution’s responsibility to ensure their witnesses appear in court.

Mompha was absent from the court session. His trial in absentia began on June 3, 2023, following testimony from a compliance officer with Access Bank. The court had ordered the trial to proceed in his absence on September 21, 2022, after he repeatedly failed to appear.

On January 22, 2022, the EFCC arraigned Mustapha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd., on eight counts related to N6 billion laundering. The charges include conspiracy to launder money obtained through unlawful activities, laundering money from unlawful activities, retaining proceeds of criminal conduct, using property derived from an unlawful act, possessing a document containing false pretenses, and failing to disclose assets.

The judge adjourned the case until July 1 for the continuation of the trial.