Reported by: L.Imafidon
Abuja, Nigeria – July 4, 2026 – The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of N150 million linked to a member of the House of Representatives, Nicholas Mutu, to the Federal Government following a ruling on alleged proceeds of unlawful activity connected to his time as chairman of the House Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The ruling was delivered on Thursday, July 3, 2026, by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who granted the application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking the permanent seizure of the funds after concluding that no sufficient cause was shown to prevent the forfeiture.
The EFCC, represented by counsel Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), told the court that the commission had complied with earlier directives by publishing an interim forfeiture order in a national newspaper as required by law, but no party came forward with valid objections to justify the release of the funds.
The court had previously granted an interim forfeiture order and directed that it be published to allow any interested party to contest the seizure. After the publication, the EFCC said no credible challenge was presented to the court.
After reviewing the motion, affidavits, and objections filed by counsel representing Mutu and his company Airworld Technologies Ltd, Justice Abdulmalik held that the application had merit and met the legal threshold for final forfeiture.
She therefore ordered that the sum of N150 million be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
According to EFCC investigations presented in court, the funds were part of alleged kickbacks totaling N400,159,689.63 received by Mutu while serving as chairman of the House Committee on the NDDC. The money was reportedly traced to a consultant engaged in debt recovery operations within the Niger Delta region.
The commission told the court that the funds were allegedly channelled through corporate accounts linked to the lawmaker, including Airworld Technologies Ltd and Oyien Homes Ltd, and later disguised through transactions presented as legitimate subcontracting arrangements.
EFCC investigators further alleged that Mutu and members of his immediate family held controlling interests in the companies used to receive the funds, raising concerns over conflict of interest and concealment of illicit proceeds.
The agency also informed the court that during the investigation, the lawmaker returned N150 million but later disputed the voluntary nature of the repayment, arguing that the funds were derived from lawful business transactions supported by subcontract agreements.
Justice Abdulmalik, however, ruled that the refunded sum constituted proceeds of unlawful activity and was therefore subject to forfeiture under relevant provisions of the law, including the Constitution and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act.
The court consequently ordered the permanent forfeiture of the funds to the Federal Government.
The ruling comes despite a separate judgment by another Federal High Court judge, Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo, who had earlier discharged and acquitted Mutu and his company in a related money laundering case. The EFCC has since appealed that decision.
The latest judgment adds another layer to the long-running legal and political scrutiny surrounding allegations of financial misconduct linked to public procurement processes at the Niger Delta Development Commission.
EFCC officials have repeatedly stated that asset recovery remains a key part of Nigeria’s anti-corruption strategy, particularly in cases involving alleged abuse of public office and diversion of government funds.
Mutu, who represents the Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State, has yet to issue a public response to the latest ruling at the time of filing this report.
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