The prosecution in the case involving Shamsudeen, son of former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bala opened its case on Thursday with its witness disclosing how the defendant allegedly acquired N1.1billion property through phoney firms.
Led in evidence by the lead prosecuting lawyer, Ben Ikani, the first prosecution witness, Ishaya Dauda (an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) gave details of how investigators unravelled the defendant’s hidden assets.
Dauda said the defendant allegedly paid a total of N1.1bn, with which he was said to have bought various properties in different parts of Abuja.
He said Shasudeen acquired the various houses in the names of different companies. He said investigators discovered the offences allegedly committed by Shamsudeen while investigating his father.
While the witness spoke, the ex-minister, Mohammed, who is also being tried before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Gudu, Abuja sat in court on Thursday to witness proceedings in his son’s trial.
The ex-Minister is being tired on a six-count charge in which he was accused of receiving gratification and making false assets declaration of some of his properties.
In his evidence, Dauda told the court that besides the intelligence received on Mohammed, there was additional intelligence received about Shamsudeen’s activities, including how he (Shamsudeen) allegedly used the four companies to acquire the properties.
Dauda also told the court how the investigative team from the EFCC recovered N580,000 and $60,000 from Shamsudeen’s residence while executing a search warrant.
The witness said.”I know the defendant.In the course of investigating a case assigned to me against the former FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, we received additional intelligence concerning purchases of properties by the defendant.
“We received intelligence that the defendant acquired several properties within the FCT. We worked on the intelligence and we have names of the properties acquired through companies.
“The companies are Diakin Telecommunications Ltd, Balbac Minning Nigeria Ltd, Intertrans Logistics Global Nigeria Ltd.
“We extended our investigation to Corporate Affairs Commission. We confirmed that the companies were registered with the CAC.
“We invited the lawyers that registered these companies by name Ishiaku Shuaibu, who confirmed that he registered those companies.
“When we asked Shuaibu how he came about the companies, he informed us that one Abdulahi Sani, a staff with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) gave him the name.
“Abdullahi Sani was invited to our office and was asked about the companies. He (Abdullahi Sani) also informed us that the defendant gave him the names of the companies to register.
“Our investigation was extended to Abuja Investments Development Company, where theGeneral Manager, Dr. Musa Musa, and the company secretary, Salisu Abdusalam, were invited to our office.
“Their statements were taken concerning the purchase of properties by the defendant using Diakin Telecommunications Ltd, Balbac Minning Nigeria Ltd, which they confirmed.
“They said he brought cash to their office. He bought to properties from Abuja Development Investments Company. The properties are located in Apo Area of Abuja
“Another property that was purchased by the defendant is at 7, Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja. He brought cash in company with a lady by name, Maimuna Aliyu Sanda.
“Together, they took this cash to the developer, by name, Farouk Saleh. The cash was in dollars, they told me. But the worth of the property was N210m.
Topic: Shocking -How former minister’s son acquired Abuja properties for N1.1 Billion (Read 1507 times)
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April 16, 2018, 07:59:44 AM