Court to Rule on N320 Million Money Laundering Case Involving Lawmaker

The Federal High Court located in Abuja has scheduled a ruling for March 23 in the trial concerning Nicholas Mutu, a six-time member of the House of Representatives, over charges of money laundering amounting to N320 million.

Nicholas Mutu, representing the Bomadi/Patani constituency in Bayelsa State, is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) along with Airworld Technologies Ltd and Oyien Homes Ltd. They face thirteen counts related to money laundering and bribery involving the sum of N320 million.

The indictments revolve around alleged unauthorized financial transactions that occurred during his tenure as chair of the House Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from August 2014 through August 2016.

Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s spokesperson, announced that presiding judge Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo set the judgement date following the conclusion of final written submissions and arguments from both the prosecution and defense.

The defense attorney, E. I. Ekweto, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), requested that the court dismiss the case and transfer an acquittal to the defendants, referencing a motion submitted in December 2025.

They argued that the prosecution has not established a prima facie case against Mutu and the associated firms.

Conversely, the prosecution, helmed by Ekele Iheanacho, another SAN, contended that the evidence presented sufficiently proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

Iheanacho referenced the testimonies of four witnesses and documentary evidence, asserting that the funds involved constituted proceeds from illegal actions. According to him, “The testimonies of the witnesses clearly indicate that the payments were intended as gratifications rather than for contractual obligations. Furthermore, attempts to create false documents highlight the criminal nature of these transactions. The defendant significantly influenced the transactions to Starlines, rendering him culpable.”

Nicholas Mutu, first elected to the House in 1999 and the longest-serving member of that chamber, has been charged on multiple counts of money laundering, bribery, and abuse of office, alongside Airworld Technologies Ltd and Oyien Homes Ltd. At the initial hearing, Mutu pled not guilty.

One of the allegations included that he solicited Airworld Technologies Ltd to obscure over N320 million, aware that it was derived from corrupt practices and bribes, violating the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011, as amended.

In the past, the prosecution sought to have Mutu remanded in custody due to breaches of bail conditions that had been established in 2018. Nevertheless, the court allowed him to remain free on bail.

In January 2026, Judge Ogunbanjo dismissed the defense's submission that there was no case to answer after the prosecution presented four witnesses, determining that Mutu indeed had a case to address.

This trial has garnered considerable national interest, particularly due to Mutu's extensive legislative experience and previous leadership role in the NDDC, a significant federal agency in the Niger Delta region.