Former FCT Minister’s Son Gets N100 Million Bail

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Shamsudeen Bala-Mohammed, Son of former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Bala Mohammed, has been granted a N100 million bail by the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The former Minister’s son was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 15-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N1.2 billion.

The EFCC alleged that Mohammed had paid millions of naira on different occasions for the purchase of houses without going through financial institutions; an act that contravenes the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded at the Kuje Prison pending the hearing of his bail application.

During Friday’s proceeding, trial judge, Nnamdi Dimgba, granted the accused person bail at N100 million and two sureties at N50 million each.

The sureties must either be private businessmen or public servant not below the rank of assistant director and must have landed properties in Abuja or within Lagos metropolis excluding satellite towns.

Justice Dimgba also ruled that the accused person must produce three years tax clearance and must not travel without the consent of the court.

The defendant must also comply with Section 15 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA 2015, which provides for accelerated hearing of criminal cases; or depose to an affidavit in case of delay by the EFCC.

The trial judge fixed March 27 and 28 for commencement of trial.

Recall that the accused’s father, Bala Mohammed, was arrested by the EFCC on the night of October 24 2016 on allegations of corruption.

He was later charged to court and was granted bail on November 29 and asked to produce two sureties who must be of the directorate cadre in the Nigerian Civil Service and who must own landed properties in Abuja.

It was gathered that the former Minister’s arrest and prosecution is not unconnected to the Abuja land swap deal he introduced during his tenure as FCT Minister.