Ezekoli Ozoemenam, a Fidelity Bank compliance officer, testified on Monday, May 20, against social media celebrity Ismaila Mustapha AKA Mompha, who is on trial for money laundering accusations totaling N6 billion.
Mr. Suleiman Suleiman, counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), led Ozoemenam, the fourth prosecution witness, into evidence.
The witness testified regarding a bank account that was purportedly related to Mompha.
The prosecution then presented the paper and petitioned the court to admit it as evidence.
Mr Kolawole Salami, the defence attorney, informed the court that he would reserve his opposition to the document being presented in evidence.
Counsel for the EFCC then petitioned the court for a witness summons to compel the appearance of the EFCC’s next witness.
The lawyer stated that he needed the summons because the witness had complained about feeling insecure and getting threats to his life.
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However, Justice Mojisola Dada stated that the prosecution was responsible for ensuring that its witnesses appeared in court.
Mompha was missing from the courtroom.
Remember that his trial in absentia began on June 3, 2023, when an Access Bank compliance officer testified against him.
On September 21, 2022, the court ordered Mompha’s trial in absentia after he failed to appear on many occasions.
Also, on January 22, 2022, the EFCC charged Mustapha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd., with eight counts of money laundering totaling N6 billion.
Mompha faces allegations of conspiracy to launder money obtained through illicit actions as well as laundering money obtained through unlawful acts.
The others are the retention of illicit proceeds, the use of property obtained via an unlawful act, the possession of a document containing false pretences, and the refusal to report assets.
The judge deferred the case until July 1 to continue the trial.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli