N150 Million Linked to Federal Lawmaker Finally Forfeited to FG Amidst Kickback Allegations
A Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has ordered the final forfeiture of N150 million, linked to a serving member of the Federal House of Representatives, Nicholas Mutu, to the Federal Government. The ruling, delivered by Justice J.O Abdulmalik on Thursday, June 2, 2026, follows an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC, represented by Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, sought the forfeiture under Section 44(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. The court had previously granted an interim forfeiture order and directed its publication in a national newspaper. As no sufficient cause was shown to prevent the final forfeiture, Justice Abdulmalik proceeded to grant the application.
The court’s decision was based on the EFCC’s investigation, which revealed that Mr. Mutu, while serving as the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), allegedly agreed to and received kickbacks totalling N400,159,689.63 from Starline Consultancy Services, an NDDC consultant. These funds were reportedly laundered through the Heritage Bank accounts of Mr. Mutu’s companies, Airworld Technologies Ltd and Oyien Homes Ltd. Mr. Mutu is identified as the majority shareholder and director in these companies, with his wife and immediate family members as other shareholders and directors.
The investigation detailed how the NDDC consultant approached Mr. Mutu’s committee for assistance in recovering debts owed by oil and gas companies operating in the Niger Delta. Following the committee’s intervention, which involved inviting the companies to the House, over N100 billion was reportedly recovered for the NDDC. While the consultant received their fees, a portion of the recovered funds was channelled to Mr. Mutu’s companies. The EFCC further alleged that Mr. Mutu procured the NDDC consultant to issue a subcontract letter to Airworld Technology Ltd during the investigation, a move described as an attempt to cover up the kickback payments and pervert the course of justice.
During the investigation, Mr. Mutu returned N150 million, though he later contested the voluntary nature of this refund. He also claimed that the funds received by his companies were based on legitimate transactions, citing purported subcontract documents. However, the consultant who made the payment reportedly confirmed that the subcontract was a mere formality and no work was performed by Mr. Mutu’s companies.
This forfeiture ruling comes after the EFCC had appealed an earlier discharge and acquittal of Mr. Mutu in a criminal money laundering trial, which was based on the same factual matrix and evidence presented before Justice F.O.G Ogunbanjo. Notably, following service of the Notice of Appeal, counsel who represented Mr. Mutu and Airworld Technologies Ltd in the criminal trial claimed they had not been briefed to receive appeal processes. Justice Abdulmalik’s judgment affirmed that the N150 million refunded by Mr. Mutu constituted proceeds of unlawful activities, leading to its final forfeiture to the Federal Government. This development underscores the heightened scrutiny on financial dealings involving public officials and the rigorous pursuit of asset recovery by anti-graft agencies.
