Court Fixes March 23 For Judgment In N320m Fraud Trial Of Serving Lawmaker, Nicholas Mutu

Justice F. Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed March 23, 2026 for judgment in the alleged N320 million fraud trial involving Nicholas Mutu, a serving member of the House of Representatives.

Mutu is standing trial alongside Airworld Technologies Ltd and Oyien Homes on a 13-count charge bordering on money laundering and receipt of gratification, instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

At proceedings on Monday, February 9, 2026, counsel to the first and third defendants, E. I. Ekweto, SAN, drew the court’s attention to a motion filed on December 10, 2025, supported by eight grounds and a written address, urging the court to strike out the charge and discharge the defendants.
Responding, prosecuting counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court of a motion dated January 28, 2026, through which the prosecution adopted its final written address. He argued that the EFCC had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt through the testimonies of four witnesses and documentary evidence, which he said showed that the funds in question were proceeds of unlawful activities.

According to Iheanacho, the witnesses consistently testified that the monies were paid as gratifications and not in respect of any contract.
“The testimonies of the witnesses were neither contradicted nor controverted. There was no suggestion at any point that the payments were for contractual obligations. The evidence before this court clearly establishes that the funds were paid as gratifications,” he said.
The prosecution further alleged attempts by the defendants to prepare documents aimed at perverting the course of justice during the proceedings.
He clarified that the crux of the case was not the payment of funds from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to Starlines, but rather the payment made to Starlines at the instance of the first defendant, which, he argued, constituted the unlawful activity, as testified by PW1 and PW2.
“We urge the honourable court to hold that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and to convict the defendants,” Iheanacho submitted.
Justice Ogunbanjo thereafter adjourned the matter to March 23, 2026 for delivery of judgment.