An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday has admitted as evidence an iPhone belonging to social media celebrity Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, in an ongoing ₦6 billion money laundering case.
Mompha, who is still at large, is being prosecuted alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd., on an eight-count charge of money laundering.
During the hearing, Musa Idi, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the sixth prosecution witness, testified that the phone had undergone forensic analysis conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He revealed that fraudulent documents were retrieved from the device during the investigation.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel Mr. Suleiman Suleiman, Idi confirmed that the iPhone was seized during the course of the investigation. Suleiman subsequently requested that the court admit the phone as evidence.
Mompha’s counsel, Mr. Kolawole Salami, objected, arguing that the prosecution had not provided the required foundation for admitting the phone, citing the absence of a certificate accompanying the device as stipulated by the Evidence Act.
In response, the prosecutor argued that the Evidence Act’s provisions were not applicable in this case, urging the court to admit the phone regardless.
Justice Mojisola Dada overruled the defence’s objection, ruling in favor of the prosecution. The court admitted the iPhone as evidence, marking it as Exhibit P7.
At a prior hearing, two other documents—a statement from the first defendant and an asset declaration—were admitted as Exhibits P5 and P6.
The witness had earlier testified on July 1 about the EFCC’s investigation, which began after receiving intelligence from the FBI implicating Mompha and his company in cybercrime activities in the United States.
Justice Dada adjourned the trial until January 3, 2025, for the continuation of proceedings.