RismadarVoice Reporters
February 10, 2026
Justice F. Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has fixed March 23, 2026, for the delivery of judgment in the alleged ₦320 million fraud trial involving Nicholas Mutu, a serving member of the House of Representatives.
Mutu is standing trial alongside Airworld Technologies Limited and Oyien Homes on a 13-count charge bordering on money laundering and gratification, instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
At proceedings held on Monday, February 9, 2026, counsel to the first and third defendants, E. I. Ekweto, SAN, drew the attention of the court to a motion filed on December 10, 2025, urging the court to strike out the charges and acquit the defendants.
The application was supported by eight grounds and a written address.
In his response, prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that the EFCC had filed its final written address dated January 28, 2026, contending that the prosecution had successfully proved its case against the defendants.
Iheanacho stated that the prosecution called four witnesses and tendered several documents, which, according to him, established that the funds in question were proceeds of unlawful activities.
“The testimonies of the witnesses showed that the monies were paid as gratifications. At no point was it suggested that the payments were made in respect of any contract,” the prosecution counsel argued, adding that the evidence before the court remained unchallenged and uncontroverted.
He further alleged attempts by the defendants to prepare documents aimed at perverting the course of justice during the proceedings.
According to him, the central issue was not the payment of funds from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to Starlines, but rather payments made to Starlines at the instance of the first defendant, which he described as the unlawful activity testified to by prosecution witnesses.
“My lord, we urge the honourable court to hold that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and to convict the defendants,” Iheanacho submitted.
After hearing submissions from both parties, Justice Ogunbanjo adjourned the matter to March 23, 2026, for judgment.
