The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed March 23, 2026, for judgment in the trial of Nicholas Mutu, a serving member of the House of Representatives representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State, over alleged financial crimes.
Justice F. Giwa Ogunbanjo announced the date after the adoption of final written addresses by counsel to both parties in the case.Mutu is standing trial alongside Airworld Technologies Ltd and Oyien Homes on a 13-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), bordering on alleged money laundering and gratification involving N320 million. The charges were disclosed in a statement issued by the anti-graft agency.
At the resumed hearing, counsel to the first and third defendants, E.I. Ekweto, SAN, drew the court’s attention to a defence motion seeking the dismissal of the charges and the acquittal of the defendants.
In response, prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, told the court that the EFCC had proved its case through the testimonies of four witnesses and documentary evidence. He argued that the evidence presented showed the funds were allegedly paid as gratifications and not linked to any legitimate contractual arrangement, as claimed by the defence. He urged the court to uphold the prosecution’s submissions and deliver a conviction.
Justice Ogunbanjo thereafter adjourned the matter to March 23, 2026, for judgment.
