BEVERLY HILLS, February 11, (THEWILL) – The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, and his son, Shamsudeen, have been ordered to forfeit 10 choice houses and plots to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to a statement by Wilson Uwujaren, Head of Media and Publicity of the anti-graft Commission, the duo were also barred from selling anything found in the properties, including luxury cars, jewelleries and other valuables.
The seizure of some of the properties was ordered in separate rulings by Justice Okon Abang and Justice Gabriel Kolawole, both of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“The seizure of the first three properties is on the strength of an interim forfeiture order by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja which temporarily forfeited the properties to the federal government pending the conclusion of investigation and determination of criminal charges against the suspect,” the statement read.
“The court also gives the Commission power to appoint competent persons/firm to manage the assets/properties listed.
“The rest properties were confiscated on the strength of the order by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja which forfeited the assets to the federal government pending the conclusion of investigation and determination of the criminal charges against the suspects.
“The court also forbids any disposal, conveyance, mortgage, lease, sale or alienation or otherwise of the property/assets.
“They include three plots of land with development at various stages of completion at No 54 Mike Akhigbe Way, Jabi, Abuja; Plot 2276 Sunrise Estate, Asokoro, Abuja and Plot 1804 Damaturu Crescent, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Garki 11, Abuja; Nos. 1 and 3, Marian Street, Asokoro, Abuja and a twin plaza at Wuse Zone 3 by Tamarak Guest Inn, Abuja.
“The rest are: No. 7 Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja; an estate and plaza at Dawaki, opposite Gwarinpa, Abuja; an Estate at Jahi District, Abuja; three number duplex Abuja Investment Company Limited Estate, Abuja and a shop at Dubai Market, Kaura District, Abuja.”
Senator Bala Mohammed was arrested in connection with alleged N1billion fictitious contracts. He was also questioned on alleged allocation of 12 choice plots to his son running into billions of Naira; 37 other commercial plots of land worth about N8billion to his suspected front and the controversial N1trillion Abuja land swap.
His son, Shamsudeen, is being prosecuted by the EFCC on a 15-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N1.2 billion.
One of the counts said: “That you, Shamsudeen Bala (alias Shamsudeen Mohammed Bala), Bird Trust Agro Allied Ltd and Intertrans Global Logistics Ltd sometime in 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did without going through a financial institution make cash payment of the sum of N296,000,000 (two hundred and ninety six million naira) only to A & K Constructions Ltd Abuja and Sunrise Estate Development Ltd for Construction of a house on plot nos 2116 and 2276 at Asokoro Gardens (alias Sunrise Estate) Abuja, which sum exceeded the statutory limit and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) and (4) of the same Act.”
The trial of the ex-minister’s son is to commence on March 27, 2017.
