A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the final forfeiture of N150 million linked to serving House of Representatives member Nicholas Mutu to the Federal Government .
Justice J.O. Abdulmalik delivered the ruling on Thursday after upholding an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court held that the funds should be permanently forfeited after no convincing explanation was provided to show why the money should not be seized by the government .
Interim Order Preceded Final Ruling
The forfeiture followed earlier proceedings in which the court granted an interim order against the funds. Justice Abdulmalik also directed that the order be published in a national newspaper to allow interested parties to challenge the application. However, after the publication and expiration of the required period, no sufficient cause was shown before the court to stop the permanent forfeiture .
EFCC Alleges Kickbacks from NDDC Consultant
The EFCC informed the court that its investigation linked the money to alleged corrupt dealings involving Mutu during his time as chairman of the House Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) .
According to the anti-graft agency, the lawmaker allegedly received kickbacks totalling over N400 million from Starline Consultancy Services, an NDDC consultant, while serving as committee chairman . The commission argued that part of the funds traced during investigations included the N150 million now ordered forfeited .
Funds Laundered Through Companies
The EFCC's investigation revealed that the funds were received and laundered through Heritage Bank accounts of Mutu's companies, Airworld Technologies Ltd and Oyien Homes Ltd. Mutu is a director and majority shareholder in both companies, while the remaining shareholders and directors are his wife and other immediate family members .
The consultant had sought the committee's intervention to recover debts owed by oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta. Following the committee's intervention, more than N100 billion was recovered for the NDDC. The EFCC alleged that while the consultant received its professional fees, Mutu's companies also received part of the funds .
Attempt to Conceal Payments
The EFCC further alleged that during the investigation, Mutu procured the NDDC consultant to issue a subcontract letter to Airworld Technologies Ltd to cover up the kickback payments. The consultant later confirmed the subcontract was "merely a ruse" and that no work was carried out by Mutu's companies .
Mutu refunded N150 million during the investigation but later claimed he did not do so voluntarily and maintained the payments received by his companies arose from lawful transactions .
Separate Criminal Trial and Appeal
The ruling comes as the EFCC continues its appeal against an earlier judgment that discharged and acquitted Mutu in a separate money laundering trial based on the same facts and evidence . In April, Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbajo discharged and acquitted the lawmaker of N320 million money laundering charges, ruling the funds were not proved to be proceeds of crime .
Mutu, a six-term member of the House of Representatives representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in mid-2025 .
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