Judge rules out virtual hearing in trial of alleged money launderer, Mompha

ARINZE NWAFOR, Lagos

An Ikeja Special Offences Court has ruled out a virtual hearing for the testimony of a prosecution witness in the ongoing trial in absentia of Ismaila Mustapha, a.k.a. Mompha.

Justice Mojisola Dada, on Wednesday, held that there would be no virtual hearing after the Prosecution Counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, applied to take one of the prosecution witnesses virtually on account of his absence.

The witness is not in the country. He is outside Nigeria for training,” Buhari said.

Dada told the prosecution counsel that she would not take the application for a virtual hearing seriously as Buhari had told the court that the absentee witness would be out of the country for three months.

“You are not serious. Only three months and he wants a virtual hearing; when there are other witnesses.”

Buhari identified the absentee witness as Mohammed and an NFID representative.

The prosecution counsel appealed and told the court that Mohammed would be back by December.

The Defense Counsel, Kolawole Salami, told the court that the prosecution had “ample time” to prepare their witness, only to make an application for a virtual hearing.

In response, the Judge said, “There will be no virtual hearing.”

Dada adjourned the matter to December 19, 2023, for the physical hearing of the witness and continuation of trial.

Mompha, regarded as a social media celebrity, is facing an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering of over N6 billion.

Mompha was charged in 2022 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited.

The EFCC arrested Mompha on January 10, 2022, arraigned before the court and was granted bail but has since then, failed to appear in court on two scheduled dates for his trial.