A Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, orders the final forfeiture of N150 million linked to serving House of Representatives member Nicholas Mutu to the Federal Government. Justice J.O. Abdulmalik delivers the ruling after the court upholds an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The court rules that the money should be permanently forfeited, citing the absence of a convincing explanation for why it should not be seized. The forfeiture follows earlier proceedings in which the court issued an interim order over the funds. Justice Abdulmalik also directs that the order be published in a national newspaper to allow any interested parties to challenge the application. After the publication and the lapse of the period granted for objections, the court finds no sufficient cause presented to stop the permanent forfeiture.
The EFCC tells the court that its investigation links the N150 million to alleged corrupt dealings by Mutu during his time as chairman of the House Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission. The commission alleges that the lawmaker received kickbacks totaling more than N400 million through arrangements involving a consultant connected to the NDDC, and it says part of the proceeds traced from these allegations includes the N150 million now ordered forfeited.
