*Son already on trial, father’s trial set to commence
The immediate past Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, and his son, Shamsudeen, have lost 10 choice houses and plots to Nigeria through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at least for now.
The agency believes the properties were acquired by father and son with stolen public funds.
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.
“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,” EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said yesterday.
“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.”
He said the court also forbids “any disposal, conveyance, mortgage, lease, sale or alienation or otherwise of the property/assets.”
The EFCC plans to arraign the ex-Minister in court any moment from now to face trial for alleged corruption. It was gathered that the agency has gone far in its investigation of the ex-Minister.
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.
A mansion allegedly worth N782million, belonging to the ex-Minister, has been placed under Interim Assets Forfeiture.
