Court Frees Social Media Influencer ‘Mompha’ from N6bn Money Laundering Charges

In a surprising turn of events, the Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has discharged social media influencer, Ismaila Mustapha, popularly known as Mompha, and struck out the N6 billion money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), according to THISDAYLIVE. The court’s decision marks the end of a long legal battle for Mompha, who has been in custody since October 2019. The EFCC accused Mompha of various financial crimes, including cybercrime, money laundering, and running a foreign exchange business without authorization. However, the court found insufficient evidence to proceed with the charges against Mompha. This development comes as a relief to his supporters, who have long campaigned for his release. The case highlights the ongoing crackdown on cybercrime and financial misconduct in Nigeria, a problem that has gained international attention in recent years. According to THISDAYLIVE, the EFCC has not said when the facility began operating or if it will continue to hold Mompha while it reviews the court’s decision.