Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State has dismissed the ‘no case submission’ filed by popular socialite, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, stating that he has a case to answer.
Mompha was arraigned alongside a company called Ismalob Global Investment Ltd by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 22-count charge bordering on fraud, money laundering, running a foreign exchange business without the authorisation of the Central Bank of Nigeria and declaration of a false audit report.
In his ruling on ‘no-case submission’ filed by his lawyer, the presiding Judge, Mohammed Liman while dismissing the application declared that from the evidence adduced before the court by the prosecution witnesses on various counts of the charge, a prima facie case has been established by the prosecution against the defendants.
Therefore, the defendant has explanations to make on issues of retention of funds in Islamob account, money laundering, dealing in foreign exchange without authorization from the Central Bank of Nigeria and declaration of a false audit report.
Consequently, the Judge ordered that;
The no-case submission is overruled and the defendant is hereby called upon to enter defence.
Thereafter, Justice Liman adjourned till March 10, 2021 for the defendant to open his defence.
