A Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has struck out the alleged N6 billion money laundering case against socialite Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha.
The court, presided over by Justice Mojisola Dada, ruled on Tuesday that the charge amounted to forum shopping and an abuse of court process because a similar case was already pending before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Mompha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, faced an eight-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, money laundering, retention of proceeds of unlawful activities, failure to disclose assets and possession of documents containing false pretences.
Following his arraignment, the socialite was remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was later granted bail of N200 million but could not meet the conditions. The court subsequently reduced the bail sum to N25 million.
Reacting to the judgment in an Instagram post, Mompha described the outcome as the end of a seven-year battle against what he called “victimisation, harassment and intimidation.”
He said the case had disrupted his life since 2019, when he returned to Nigeria with plans to invest in the economy.
“A battle of victimisation, harassment and intimidation that started in 2019 has finally ended in victory. It all started when I came into the country in 2019 with the intention of investing in the economy but was accosted by the EFCC on trumped-up charges which halted my life for over seven (7) years without any justification,” he wrote.
Mompha said the court struck out the charges on November 10, 2026, after his legal team challenged the case.
“But after a long battle by my legal team, today 10th November, 2026, judgement was delivered in my case with a favourable outcome as the Court struck out the entire charges filed against me for being an abuse of court process and forum shopping.”
He described the EFCC’s case as a “complete witch-hunt” and said the judgment had vindicated him.
“Now I can have my freedom and peace as I have been vindicated with this Judgment. I thank almighty Allah, my friends and family that stood by me and most importantly my team of lawyers, comprising of Gboyega Oyewole SAN, Kolawole Salami, Ademola Adefolaju for all their efforts from the commencement of this case up until this judgment,” he wrote.
Mompha also maintained that he had always believed he would be cleared, while thanking his lawyers and supporters.
Erizia Rubyjeana
Follow us on:
