Court Orders Forfeiture of N150m Linked to Rep Mutu

On Thursday, Justice Joyc Abdulmalik ordered the final forfeiture of N150 million connected to Mutu, a member of the House of Representatives representing Bomadi/Patanai Federal Constituency in Delta State since 1999. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) initiated the forfeiture following investigations revealing that Mutu received kickbacks totaling N400 million from NDDC consulting contracts.

The EFCC's application cited that the funds were allegedly laundered through Heritage Bank accounts linked to Mutu's companies, Airworld Technology Ltd and Oyien Home Ltd. The court found that the funds constituted proceeds of unlawful activities.

Mutu's counsel, P.N. Ikwueto, stated that they were not instructed to receive the appeal process against the earlier discharge and acquittal of Mutu in a related criminal trial for money laundering.

Justice Abdulmalik deemed the claims of Mutu's companies as lacking merit, leading to the forfeiture order.