A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Gudu, Abuja, on Wednesday remanded a former Minister of the FCT, Bala Mohammed, in Kuje Prison till Thursday when ruling on his bail
application would be delivered.Justice Abubakar Talba made the order of remand after hearing Mohammed’s bail application which followed the ex-minister’s arraignment on Wednesday.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission earlier on Wednesday arraigned the former minister on six counts bordering on receiving of gratification and making false assets declaration of some of his property.The anti-graft agency specifically alleged that Mohammed, while being the Minister of Federal Capital Territory Abuja, had in 2014 in Abuja did accept gratification of a house worth N550m situated at No. 2599 and 2600 Cadestral zone AO4 Asokoro District Abuja from Aso Savings and Loans Bank Plc.The EFCC claimed the said house was a reward for performing his official duties, an act said to be an offence contrary to Section 18(b) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission Act 2000, and punishable under Section 18(d) of the same Act.Mohammed was also accused of abusing his office while being FCT Minister and Chairman Board of Directors, Aso Savings and Loans Bank Plc.He allegedly used his office and position to confer corrupt and undue advantage to his associates by allocating four numbers fully detached duplexes and 11 numbers semi detached duplexes valued at N314m through the Presidential Taskforce on the sale of government houses to them.The act was said to be an offence punishable under Section 19 of ICPC Act 2000.The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the counts when read to him on Wednesday.After his client took his plea, the defence lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), urged the court to grant bail to the former minister, whom he said was constitutionally presumed innocent, in liberal terms.But the EFCC’s lawyer, Ben Ikani, opposed the defendant’s bail application, urging the court to take note that the medical certificate relied on by the ex-minister was issued as far back as July 14, 2016.Ikani urged the court to refuse the application or grant the defendant bail on very stringent conditions.Justice Talba fixed Thursday for ruling on the bail application.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission earlier on Wednesday arraigned the former minister on six counts bordering on receiving of gratification and making false assets declaration of some of his property.The anti-graft agency specifically alleged that Mohammed, while being the Minister of Federal Capital Territory Abuja, had in 2014 in Abuja did accept gratification of a house worth N550m situated at No. 2599 and 2600 Cadestral zone AO4 Asokoro District Abuja from Aso Savings and Loans Bank Plc.The EFCC claimed the said house was a reward for performing his official duties, an act said to be an offence contrary to Section 18(b) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission Act 2000, and punishable under Section 18(d) of the same Act.Mohammed was also accused of abusing his office while being FCT Minister and Chairman Board of Directors, Aso Savings and Loans Bank Plc.He allegedly used his office and position to confer corrupt and undue advantage to his associates by allocating four numbers fully detached duplexes and 11 numbers semi detached duplexes valued at N314m through the Presidential Taskforce on the sale of government houses to them.The act was said to be an offence punishable under Section 19 of ICPC Act 2000.The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the counts when read to him on Wednesday.After his client took his plea, the defence lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN), urged the court to grant bail to the former minister, whom he said was constitutionally presumed innocent, in liberal terms.But the EFCC’s lawyer, Ben Ikani, opposed the defendant’s bail application, urging the court to take note that the medical certificate relied on by the ex-minister was issued as far back as July 14, 2016.Ikani urged the court to refuse the application or grant the defendant bail on very stringent conditions.Justice Talba fixed Thursday for ruling on the bail application.
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