Fidelity Bank compliance officer, Ezekoli Ozoemenam, testified on Monday against social media celebrity Ismaila Mustapha, also known as Mompha, who is facing trial over money laundering charges involving N6 billion.
Ozoemenam, the fourth prosecution witness, was led in evidence by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr. Suleiman Suleiman.
The witness testified about the details of an account at the bank allegedly linked to Mompha.
The prosecution tendered the account document and requested the court to admit it as evidence. However, defense counsel Mr. Kolawole Salami reserved his objection to the tendering of the document.
Mr. Suleiman then requested a witness summons to ensure the appearance of the EFCC’s next witness, who reportedly felt unsafe and had received threats to his life.
Justice Mojisola Dada reminded the prosecution that it is their responsibility to ensure their witnesses appear in court.
Mompha was absent from the court. His trial in absentia began on June 3, 2023, when a compliance officer from Access Bank testified against him.
The court had ordered the commencement of Mompha’s trial in absentia on September 21, 2022, after he failed to appear on several occasions.
The EFCC had arraigned Mustapha and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Ltd., on January 22, 2022, on eight counts related to the laundering of N6 billion.
The charges include conspiracy to launder money obtained through unlawful activities, laundering of money obtained through unlawful activities, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, use of property derived from an unlawful act, possession of a document containing false pretenses, and failure to disclose assets.
The judge adjourned the case until July 1 for the continuation of the trial.
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