Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the final forfeiture of N150 million linked to a serving member of the House of Representatives, Nicholas Mutu, to the Federal Government, following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that established the funds were proceeds of unlawful activities.
Justice J.O. Abdulmalik granted the order on Thursday, July 2, 2026, after the EFCC presented findings from its investigation, which revealed that Mutu, while serving as Chairman of the House Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), had received kickbacks totaling N400,159,689.63 from an NDDC consultant, Starline Consultancy Services. The funds were laundered through Heritage Bank accounts belonging to Mutu's companies, Airworld Technologies Ltd and Oyien Homes Ltd.
According to the EFCC, the NDDC consultant had approached Mutu's committee to assist in recovering debts owed by oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta region. Following the intervention of Mutu's committee, the oil and gas companies were invited to the House, where the consultants were able to meet with them and reconcile figures. The committee issued payment demands to the companies, and eventually, over N100 billion was recovered for the NDDC. While the consultant received their fees, Mutu's companies received part of the funds.
The investigation revealed that Mutu is not just a director in these companies; he maintains the highest shares in them, while the other shareholders and directors are his wife and members of his immediate family. The court also heard that Mutu procured the NDDC consultant to issue a subcontract letter to his company, Airworld Technology Ltd, in an attempt to cover up the kickback payments he received. The consultant later confirmed that the subcontract was merely a ruse and that no work was done by Mutu's companies.
The EFCC filed its application for the final forfeiture of the N150 million pursuant to Section 44(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. The court had earlier granted an interim order and directed the publication of the order in a national newspaper. When the publication was made, no sufficient cause was shown why the funds under the interim forfeiture should not be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.
Justice Abdulmalik, after considering the application, the objections, and various affidavits filed by counsel to Mutu and his company Airworld Technologies Ltd, held that the application had merit and ordered the final forfeiture of the said funds to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
It is also recalled that the EFCC had appealed against the earlier discharge and acquittal of Mutu in a criminal trial on money laundering which was based on the same set of facts and evidence before Justice F.O.G. Ogunbanjo. After being served with the Notice of Appeal, P.I.N. Ikwueto SAN, who had represented Mutu throughout the criminal trial, claimed that he was not briefed to receive the appeal processes for him, while J.O. Asoluka SAN, who represented Airworld Technologies Ltd, made a similar claim.
The forfeiture order sends a clear message that proceeds of crime will be recovered, regardless of the status of the individuals involved. The EFCC has described the recovery of assets as a critical component of its mandate to deny criminals the proceeds of their crimes and deter others from engaging in similar fraudulent activities. The case represents one of the most significant corruption prosecutions involving a serving lawmaker in recent years.
Mutu, who is the member representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State, has not yet commented on the ruling. However, the judgment is expected to have significant implications for his political career and for the broader fight against corruption in Nigeria.
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