Further trial of the social media celebrity, Ismail Mustapha, a.k.a. Mompha has been adjourned to March 13.
Justice Mojisola Dada, of the Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, fixed the date on Monday, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), sixth Prosecution witness gave evidence in the alleged money charges offences made against the social media celebrity.
At the resumed trial today, the EFCC was represented by Suleiman I. Suleiman, the Mompha was represented by Kolawole Salami who appeared with Ademola Adefolaju.
During the trial, the EFCC’s sixth witness, Idi Musa, who was recalled to testify in the matter tendered documents purportedly received from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). But counsel to the defendant objected to the admissibility of the documents on the ground that the said documents which emanated from the US department of Justice through the US Consulate office were public documents and were not certified
The counsel based their objection in line with section 102 and 104 of the Evidence Act. Adding the the EFCC not been the maker of the said document cannot purportedly certify same.
The court in her ruling, however admitted the said document as Exhibit P8, P9 and P10 respectively.
The witness further in his testimony admitted that the first defendant stated during investigation that the wristwatches recovered from him belonged to him, even though he did not input same in the Asset Declaration Form filled upon his arrest.
During cross-examination, PW6 admitted that the defendant was arrested in 2019 and was earlier charged before the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, for money laundering related offences which is still pending before the court.
He further told that the wristwatches were ordered to be released to the defendant by two separate orders of the Federal High Court, which they failed to comply with. The court orders were admitted as Exhibit P11 and P12.
Furthermore, the EFCC PW 6, told the court during cross-examination that the document referred to in count 7 was obtained in the absence of the defendant and that when the defendant was confronted with the document during investigation, the defendant refused to make a statement. But when confronted with the statement of the defendant admitted as Exhibit P13, which was read in open court, the witness recounted his testimony and admitted that the defendant indeed denied the knowledge of the document referred to in count 7 in his statement.
The witness upon further cross- examination, admitted that no petition was received from Continental Diary Facility Southwest LLc in respect of the first defendant, and that it was the commission who enquired from the company and a statement was made.
The witness however when asked by Mompha’s counsel, Kolawole salami if the said statement of the company was before the court, the witness could not provide the statement of the company.
Further questions revealed that Ahmed Muhammed who was stated to be at large in count one of the charge was alive and well and within the court’s jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, further hearing of the matter has been adjourned to March 13, 2025, for further cross examination and continuation of trial.
