Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, has
refused to set aside the order of interim forfeiture of some properties
linked to Shamsudeen Bala, son of Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed,
who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
for money laundering.
Shamsudeen is facing trial before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal
High Court, Abuja, on an amended 14-count charge.
He is standing trial alongside Bird Trust Agro Allied Limited,
Intertrans Global Logistic Ltd, Diakin Telecommunications Ltd and
Bal-Vac Mining Nigeria Ltd.
In the course of the trial, the EFCC had on October 18, 2017 secured an
order for the interim forfeiture of some properties traced to
Shamsudeen, which are believed to be the proceeds of illegal activities.
Justice Dimgba had made the order pursuant to a motion brought before
the ourt by the EFCC seeking for the interim forfeiture of the
properties.
Dissatisfied with the order, Shamsudeen sought the order of the court to
set aside the interim forfeiture order of Justice Dimgba.
However, delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Taiwo refused to set
aside the interim forfeiture orders of some of the properties as
contained in the order of interim forfeiture made by Justice Dimgba.
The properties include a mansion located at Sunrise Estate, Asokoro,
Abuja; three four-bedroom semi detached duplexes located at Green Acres
Estate, Apo-Dutse, Abuja; and a four-bedroom semi detached duplex with
BQ, located at Maitama, Abuja. The trial judge held that in relation to
three other properties listed in the schedule, “those who laid claims
showed sufficient proof of ownership and no pending charge against
them”.
Furthermore, Justice Taiwo also took judicial notice of counts three,
four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and 10 and also refused to set aside
the properties listed in the counts “because they are subject to pending
criminal proceedings before Justice Dimgba”.
Meanwhile, Shamsudeen is expected to continue with his trial before
Justice Dimgba on March 24, 2020.