Court Orders Final Forfeiture of N150m Linked to Rep Nicholas Mutu

By Joseph Sunday

A Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of N150 million linked to Nicholas Mutu, a serving member of the House of Representatives, to the Federal Government.

Justice J.O. Abdulmalik issued the order on Thursday, June 2, 2026, after granting an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The EFCC’s legal team, led by Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, brought the application under Section 44(2) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order and directed that it be published in a national newspaper. After the publication, no sufficient cause was shown to prevent the permanent forfeiture of the funds.

In his ruling, Justice Abdulmalik dismissed objections raised by Mutu and his company, Airworld Technologies Ltd, holding that the EFCC’s application had merit. The court then ordered that the N150 million be finally forfeited to the Federal Government.

EFCC’s Findings
EFCC investigations revealed that Mutu, while serving as Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, received kickbacks totaling N400,159,689.63 from Starline Consultancy Services, an NDDC consultant.

The funds were laundered through Heritage Bank accounts belonging to Mutu’s companies, Airworld Technologies Ltd and Oyien Homes Ltd. Mutu is listed as the majority shareholder and director of both firms, with his wife and immediate family members as other directors and shareholders.

According to the EFCC, the NDDC consultant had approached Mutu’s committee for assistance in recovering debts owed by oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta. The committee intervened by summoning the companies to the House, where figures were reconciled and payment demand notices were issued. The intervention led to the recovery of over N100 billion for the NDDC.

While the consultant was paid its fees, Mutu’s companies also received part of the funds. The EFCC alleged that during its investigation, Mutu arranged for the NDDC consultant to issue a subcontract letter to Airworld Technologies Ltd to disguise the kickbacks. The consultant later confirmed the subcontract was false and that Mutu’s companies did no work.

Court Rejects Mutu’s Defence
Mutu refunded N150 million during the investigation but later claimed the refund was not voluntary. He argued that payments to his companies were for lawful transactions based on the subcontract documents. The court rejected this claim.

The EFCC had earlier appealed Mutu’s discharge and acquittal in a related money laundering trial before Justice F.O.G. Ogunbanjo, which was based on the same facts. After being served the Notice of Appeal, Mutu’s counsel, P.I.N. Ikwueto, SAN, and Airworld’s counsel, J.O. Asoluka, SAN, both claimed they were not briefed to receive appeal documents on behalf of their clients.

Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the N150 million refunded by Mutu were proceeds of unlawful activities and ordered their final forfeiture to the Federal Government.