A Lagos state special offences court sitting in Ikeja has struck out the alleged N6 billion money laundering case involving Ismaila Mustapha, the socialite better known as Mompha.
Mompha stood trial alongside his company Ismalob Global Investment Limited on an eight-count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, money laundering, retention of proceeds of unlawful activities, failure to disclose assets and possession of documents containing false pretences.
Following his previous arraignments, Mustapha was remanded in EFCC custody but was later granted bail in the sum of N200 million, which he was unable to meet. The court subsequently reduced the bail to N25 million.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Mojisola Dada, the judge, held that the pendency of a similar case before the federal high court in Ikoyi, Lagos, made the charge before her court an act of forum shopping and an abuse of court process.
Reacting in an Instagram post, the socialite described the judgment as the end of a seven-year battle against what he called “victimisation, harassment and intimidation”.
He said the legal battle had disrupted his life for more than seven years, adding that the court’s decision had vindicated him.
Mompha also thanked the judiciary, his family, friends and legal team for their support throughout the proceedings.
“A battle of victimization, harassment and intimidation that started in 2019 has finally ended in victory. It all started when I came into the country in 2019 with the intention of investing in the economy but was accosted by the EFCC on trumped-up charges which halted my life for over seven (7) years without any justification,” he wrote.
Apost shared by SKY MAN ✈️☁️ 33BG💰 (@mompha)
“But after a long battle by my legal team, today 10th November, 2026, judgement was delivered in my case with a favourable outcome as the Court struck out the entire charges filed against me for being an abuse of court process and forum shopping.
“From the beginning it was obvious that the charges filed against me by EFCC was baseless and a complete witch-hunt calculated to oppress me for no just cause. I thank the judiciary for the first time and the judge who handled the case and was able to see through the frivolous suit filed against me by EFCC.
“Now I can have my freedom and peace as I have been vindicated with this Judgment. I thank almighty Allah, my friends and family that stood by me and most importantly my team of lawyers, comprising of Gboyega Oyewole SAN, Kolawole Salami, Ademola Adefolaju for all their efforts from the commencement of this case up until this judgment.
“I have always maintained my innocence and believe that at the long run, I will be victorious despite the tribulations and same have been confirmed with today’s judgment in my favour. Special thanks to my lawyers @adefolajuademola @kolybuster 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 and shame on you @officialefcc Losers.”
