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A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the final forfeiture of N150 million linked to a serving House of Representatives member, dealing a significant blow to legislative impunity.

Justice J.O. Abdulmalik on Thursday granted the order following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which presented damning evidence that the lawmaker, Nicholas Mutu, received kickbacks totalling over N400 million while chairing the House Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The anti-graft agency’s investigation revealed that Mutu, who represents the Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State and is currently serving his sixth term in parliament, allegedly used his position to extort illicit payments from an NDDC consultant, Starline Consultancy Services.

A Web of Deception and Family Shell Companies

According to court documents, the consultant had approached Mutu’s committee to help recover debts owed by oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta region. Following the committee’s intervention, over N100 billion was recovered for the NDDC.

However, while the consultant received their fees, Mutu’s companies also received a share of the funds. The EFCC established that the money was laundered through Heritage Bank accounts belonging to Airworld Technologies Ltd and Oyien Homes Ltd, companies where Mutu is the majority shareholder and his wife and immediate family members serve as directors.

“Subcontract” Exposed as Fraudulent Cover-Up

In a desperate attempt to mask the illicit payments, Mutu allegedly procured the NDDC consultant to issue a subcontract letter to Airworld Technology Ltd during the EFCC investigation. The consultant later confirmed the subcontract was “merely a ruse” and that no work was carried out by Mutu’s companies.

The lawmaker had refunded N150 million during the investigation but later claimed it was not voluntary, insisting the payments were based on lawful transactions, a claim the court found baseless.

Divided Justice: Acquittal Versus Forfeiture

This forfeiture judgment diverges sharply from an earlier decision by another Federal High Court judge, Folashade Giwa-Ogunbajo, who discharged and acquitted Mutu in April on N320 million money laundering charges arising from the same alleged fraudulent transactions.

The EFCC has since appealed that acquittal. Interestingly, after being served with the Notice of Appeal, Mutu’s counsel, P.I.N Ikwueto SAN, claimed he was not briefed to receive the appeal processes.

A Victory for Asset Recovery

Justice Abdulmalik, after considering objections and affidavits from both Mutu and his company, ruled that the N150 million constituted proceeds of unlawful activities and ordered its final forfeiture to the Federal Government.

The court had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order and directed its publication in a national newspaper. When no sufficient cause was shown to challenge the interim order, the judge made the forfeiture permanent.

The legal victory represents a significant achievement for Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign, demonstrating that even six-term lawmakers can be held financially accountable, a stern warning to other predatory politicians who use legislative oversight as a cover for extortion.