Justice F. Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has criticized Nicholas Mutu, former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), for violating his bail conditions in an ongoing N320 million fraud case.
During Thursday’s proceedings, the judge expressed disapproval upon learning that Mutu had traveled abroad without the court’s permission using an undeclared passport. “The defendant must not leave this country without express permission from the court. This breach of order is intolerable,” Justice Ogunbanjo stated.
Mutu, facing a 13-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering, had previously surrendered three passports to the EFCC as part of his bail conditions. However, prosecution counsel Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, revealed that immigration records showed Mutu had traveled using a passport not surrendered to the court.
Iheanacho requested the revocation of Mutu’s bail, arguing that the defendant’s actions posed a flight risk. “Section 173 and 175 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act permit this court to revoke his bail. With another passport, he can abscond at any time,” Iheanacho stated.
The issue of missing passports, which had slowed trial progress, was resolved when the court’s Registry located them after months of uncertainty. Justice Ogunbanjo apologized to the prosecution for the delay caused by the oversight, urging stricter documentation practices in the future.
The judge ordered Mutu to deposit all his passports with the court and barred him from further international travel until investigations into his unauthorized trips are concluded. The case was adjourned to February 17 and 18, 2025, to allow the prosecution to respond to an affidavit filed by the defense.
