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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Abuja division of the Federal High Court on Tuesday discharged and acquitted Shamsudeen Bala, son of former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed on 11 out of 20-count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).
Bala is standing trial alongside four firms; Bird Trust Agro Allied Ltd, Intertrans Global Logistics Ltd, Diakin Telecommunications Ltd and Bal-Vac Mining Ltd.
The prosecution agency had alleged that the four companies were used by Bala to launder over N1.1 billion.
It further alleged that Bala went ahead to acquire houses within high brow areas in Abuja which he paid for in cash, to conceal the stolen funds at his disposal.
It also claimed that some of the assets included five plots of land at Asokoro Gardens; House FS 2 B, Green Acre Estate Apo-Dutse, Abuja; House FS 1A, Green Acre Estate, Apo-Dutse; FS 1B, Green Acre Estate, Apo-Dutse, Abuja and House 2A, No. 7, Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja.
However, in his ruling on a no-case submission filed by his counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), Justice Dimgba Igwe acquitted him on 11 out of 20- count charge slammed against him.
Justice Dimgba freed Bala on counts one to 10 and count 20 which bordered on the allegation that Bala exceeded the permissible threshold of N5 million in making payments for the acquisition of houses.
He held that the anti-graft agency failed to provide evidence on the allegation that Bala bought property with cash above the stipulated financial threshold.
The court also held that the evidence laid by the prosecution witness amounted to hearsay and therefore was not tenable in law.
Consequently, the judge dismissed the no-case-submission in respect of counts 11, 12, 13, 14,15 and 16, which bordered on failure of Bala to disclose his assets in the assets declaration form he filled at the EFCC.
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He however held that the defendant should explain counts 17, 18 and 19, which were predicated on forgery.
The judge adjourned the matter until Feb. 28, 2022 for the defendant to open his defence on counts 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.
