The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala A. Mohammed, before Justice A. M. Talba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja, on a six-count charge bordering on abuse of office, false declaration of assets and fraud to the tune of N864 million.
EFCC Head of Media and Information Wilson Uwujaren said: “Bala, while in office as minister, allegedly received N550 million as bribe from the Aso Savings and Loans Limited with respect to some properties in the Asokoro area of Abuja.
“He is said to have corruptly abused his position as Board Chairman of Aso Savings by allocating four numbers fully detached duplexes and 11 numbers semi-detached duplexes valued at N314 million through the Presidential Taskforce on Sale of Governments Houses, to himself.
“The former minister is also accused of making false declaration of his assets.”
Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Bala A. Mohammed, while being the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, sometime in 2014 in Abuja within the Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did accept gratification of a house worth N550,000,000 (five hundred and fifty million naira) only situated at No. 2599 & 2600 Cadastral Zone A04 Asokoro District, Abuja from Aso Savings & Loans Plc as reward for performing your official duties and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (b) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under Section 18 (d) of the same Act.”
(Thisday)
