In a pivotal moment in the ongoing trial of Ismaila Mustapha, widely known as Mompha, and his company, Ismalob Global Investment Limited, the Ikeja Special Offences Court has admitted an iPhone allegedly used in fraudulent activities as evidence.
Presiding Judge Justice Mojisola Dada ruled in favour of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, overruling objections from the defence.
The case centers on an eight-count charge against Mompha and his firm, which includes conspiracy to launder funds from unlawful activities, retaining proceeds of crime, and possession of documents containing false pretences.
During the hearing, EFCC counsel Suleiman Suleiman introduced Detective Idi Musa as the sixth prosecution witness.
Musa testified that forensic analysis, conducted in collaboration with the FBI, revealed incriminating documents on the recovered iPhone, now marked as Exhibit P7.
The documents had been extracted earlier and tendered as evidence in the case.
Defence counsel Ademola Adefolaju strongly opposed the admission of the iPhone, arguing that the prosecution had not laid a proper foundation for its inclusion.
“The proper foundation was not laid regarding this iPhone,” Adefolaju stated, urging the court to reject the device as evidence.
However, Justice Dada ruled that the prosecution had sufficiently established the relevance of the iPhone to the case.
She referenced previous testimony from an FBI representative, who corroborated the forensic findings.
“The court finds that the iPhone presented has met the requirements for admissibility as evidence in this matter,” Justice Dada stated.
The trial has been adjourned until February 3, 2025, for its continuation.
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