A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the no-case submission made by a House of Representatives member, Nicholas Mutu, who is being tried with two others on money laundering-related charges.
Mutu representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State is, along with two others – Airworld Technologies Ltd, and Oyien Homes Ltd – accused of laundering about N320 million.
Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo, in a ruling on Monday, January 22, ordered Mutu and his co-defendants to enter their defence as they have a case to answer in respect of the allegations made against them in the 13-count amended charge on which they are being tried.
Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo held that the prosecution had adduced sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case against the three defendants to warrant their being called upon to enter a defence.
The judge adjourned till February 21 and 22 for the defendants to open their defence.
While opposing the no-case submissions, prosecuting lawyer, Ekele Iheanacho argued that the money paid to the defendants by Starline Consultancy, a contractor to NDDC, amounted to gratification
Iheanacho added that Mutu, used his official position, as the Chairman of House Committee on NDDC, to accept the various sums of money paid by the NDDC contractor.
The prosecuting lawyer contended that Mutu’s alleged conduct violated both the provision of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) Act and the Code of Conduct for public officers, which constitute predicate offences to the money laundering offence for which he was being prosecuted.
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