A Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the final forfeiture of ₦150 million linked to serving House of Representatives member, Nicholas Mutu, to the Federal Government.
The ruling was delivered by Justice J.O. Abdulmalik following the court’s decision to uphold an application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Court Upholds EFCC Application
The court held that the funds should be permanently forfeited after no satisfactory explanation was provided to justify why the money should not be taken over by the Federal Government.
The forfeiture follows earlier proceedings in which the court had granted an interim order on the funds and directed that the order be published in a national newspaper to allow any interested party to contest it.
However, after the publication and the expiration of the stipulated time, no party successfully challenged the application or provided sufficient cause to prevent the final forfeiture.
EFCC Links Funds To NDDC Contracts
The EFCC told the court that its investigation linked the money to alleged corrupt practices involving Mutu during his tenure as Chairman of the House Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
According to the anti-graft agency, the lawmaker allegedly received kickbacks exceeding ₦400 million from a consultant working with the NDDC.
The commission further argued that part of the funds traced during its investigation included the ₦150 million now ordered forfeited.
Final Judgment
After reviewing submissions from both the EFCC and other relevant processes, Justice Abdulmalik ruled in favour of the anti-graft agency and granted the final forfeiture order.
Nicholas Mutu, a long-serving federal lawmaker from Delta State, remains a member of the House of Representatives.