Rep Forfeits N150 Million, C/Servant Forfeits Plaza Others To FG

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted an order for the forfeiture of N150 million recovered from Hon. Nicholas Mutu, former chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta.

Mutu is also the longest serving member of the House of Representatives having won all elections from the Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency having represented the constituency since the advent of the Fourth Republic.

Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo Giwa on Thursday granted the interim forfeiture application that was brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The ex parte application for the forfeiture was moved by counsel representing the EFCC, Ekele Iheanacho who stated that the money was recovered by the EFCC in the course of investigating contracts awarded by  the NDDC.

He affirmed that NDDC engaged the services of Starline Consultancy Services to recover funds owed it by oil and gas companies and that Starline sought the assistance of the House Committee on NDDC in the recovery of the funds. The oil companies eventually paid the debts to Starline, with a total sum of N10 billion being realised.

According to the prosecutor, investigation further revealed that Hon Ebomo received bribe and kickbacks to the tune of over N400 million (Four Hundred Million Naira) as appreciation for his role in using the office of House Chairman on NDDC to facilitate the recovery of the monies.

Iheanacho said the money the Commission is seeking its forfeiture to the federal government is the N150 million refunded by Hon Ebomo in favour of the EFCC Recovery Fund Account.

Justice Giwa granted the prayer and directed that the order be published in a national newspaper for persons with interest in the fund to show cause, why the final order of the forfeiture of the funds should be made in favour of the Federal government.

In the same vein, the judge also ordered the interim forfeiture of a plaza and block of flats, belonging to one Goddy Nnadi, General Manager, Corporate Services, Petroleum Equalisation Fund Management Board.

Justice Giwa gave the order following an ex-parte application filed by the EFCC through its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho.

The plaza, a two storey building is located at Plot C46 5221 Road, Block XXIIC Gwarimpa II Estate, Abuja , while the set of four detached bungalows are located at Plot No 77, 525 Road , A Close, Kubwa Estate, Phase IV Abuja.

Iheanacho told the court that the properties are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

In his affidavit, Iheanacho stated that Nnadi received kickbacks from petroleum products dealers and contractors and thereafter acquired the properties to launder the funds received. He further told the court that Nnadi has now voluntarily pledged to forfeit the properties to the federal government and therefore urged the court to grant the application against the properties.

Justice Giwa granted the prayers being sought with the previous conditions attached.

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