An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday dismissed a no-case submission by internet celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly called Mompha, over alleged six billion naira money laundering charges.

Justice Mojisola Dada ordered the defendant to begin his defence.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the defendant is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alongside his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd, on an eight-count-charge. Mompha was arraigned on January 12, 2022, and is being tried in absentia.

The charges borders on conspiracy to launder funds obtained unlawfully, retention of crime proceeds, non-disclosure of assets, and possession of documents containing false pretenses.

Delivering her ruling on Tuesday, Justice Mojisola Dada held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the defendants, and ordered them to open their defence.

The court held that the evidences presented by the prosecution required explanation from the defendants, adding that the court is satisfied that they have a case to answer.

Among other accusations, the defendants were alleged to have conspired to conduct financial transactions amounting to ₦5.9 billion sometime in 2016 in Lagos. They were alleged to have conducted the transactions with intent to promote unlawful activities, specifically obtaining by false pretense.

During the trial, the prosecutor, Mr. Seliman Suleiman, led five witnesses in evidence before closing the case for the prosecution.

Mompha, who had earlier pleaded not guilty to all charges, had through his counsel, Mr. Kolawole Salami, filed a no-case submission, claiming he had no case to answer.

Defence counsel had argued that the prosecution failed to link the defendant with the offences as charged. The court has now adjourned the case until January 27, 2026, for the defendants to begin their defence.