Court Admits Mompha’s iPhone as Evidence, Adjourns Case to February 3, 2025

In a major development, the court admits Mompha’s iPhone as an exhibit in his ongoing trial and sets the next hearing date for February 3, 2025, continuing the legal proceedings.

The Special Offences Court located in Ikeja, Lagos, has accepted additional evidence against internet personality Ismaila Mustapha, commonly referred to as Mompha.

Justice Mojisola Dada dismissed the objections raised by the defendant’s legal counsel regarding the admission of Mompha’s iPhone as evidence.

Mompha, along with his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, is facing an eight-count indictment that includes conspiracy to launder funds acquired through illegal activities, retention of proceeds from criminal conduct, laundering of funds obtained unlawfully, failure to disclose assets and properties, possession of documents containing false pretenses, and utilization of property derived from unlawful acts.

During the hearing on December 3, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by counsel Suleiman Suleiman, continued the testimony of witness PW 6, Detective Idi Musa, who presented Mompha’s iPhone in court.

Musa asserted that the iPhone was utilized for fraudulent activities, prompting the EFCC to seek its admission as an exhibit.

In response, Mompha’s attorney, Ademola Adefolaju, objected, arguing that a proper foundation had not been established regarding the iPhone. He requested that the court refrain from admitting it as an exhibit.

He stated, “My lord, I object on the basis that a proper foundation was not laid concerning the iPhone, and therefore it should not be accepted in court.”

The prosecution countered by asserting that the iPhone was recovered from the suspect during the investigation and subsequently sent to the FBI for further forensic examination, a fact confirmed by the FBI representative via PW3 in court.

Additionally, the prosecution noted that documents extracted from the iPhone had already been submitted to the court.

After considering the arguments, Justice Dada overruled the objections and accepted the iPhone as evidence, marking it as Exhibit P7.

The case has been adjourned until February 3, 2025, for the continuation of the trial.