The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Alhaji Bala Mohammed

  • INEC issues certificates of return to Bauchi gov elect, 31 Lawmakers

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Thursday issued certificates of return to governor-elect of Bauchi State, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, his deputy,  Alhaji Baba Tela, and 31 members-elect of the state House of Assembly in Bauchi.

    Presenting the certificates, the National Electoral Commissioner in charge of Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe States, Alhaji Baba Shettima-Arfo, said the event was historic in the democratic transition of the state.

    Shettima-Arfo noted that the process used to be peaceful in Bauchi, but lamented that this time around, there were pockets of violence in few places in the state, which resulted in inconclusive elections in some parts of the state.

    He assured that the commission would investigate the circumstances to enable it tackle same during future elections.

    The national commissioner called on stakeholders in the state to work closely with INEC to enable the commission excel during future elections.

    He commended organizations in the state that contributed towards the success of the last election.

    On his part, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), in charge of Bauchi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, observed that elective positions in the state were keenly contested, describing the situation as a positive development.

    Ibrahim assured political actors  that the commission would remain an impartial umpire in the discharge of its responsibilities.

    In his remarks, the  governor-elect, Mohammed, commended INEC for conducting free and fair election in the state in spite of intense pressure from certain quarters.
    He also commended the Bauchi electorate for exhibiting maturity during the polls and the confidence reposed in him by giving him their mandate.

    The governor-elect pledged not to betray the confidence reposed in him by the people and called on all and sundry to join him in developing the state.

    Out of 31 House of Assembly members-elect, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has 22, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got eight while ANPP had one.

  • Atiku congratulates Tambuwal, Ortom

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 23 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has said that the victory of the candidates of the party in Sokoto and Benue states was an acknowledgement from the people that PDP is the only truly national party in the country.

    In a congratulatory message to Governors Aminu Tambuwal and Samuel Ortom who have been re-elected in Kano and Benue states respectively, Atiku assured Sokoto state made the right decision that will see them continue on the path to peace, progress and prosperity.

    Atiku described Governor Ortom’s re-election as well deserved, adding that his re-election was not just a credit to the PDP but also a fact that the governor remained an epitome of servant leadership who he urged electorate in the state to emulate.

    “With him (Ortom) again at the helm of affairs in Benue, the people of the breadbasket of the nation can look forward to times of refreshing and deliverance,” a statement by his media Adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe said.

    “Atiku Abubakar shares solidarity with Alhaji Bala Mohammed and Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, who have made a great showing in Bauchi and Kano states, respectively.

    “Victory is within reach. They have shown that they are men of the people and we are convinced that much good will come out of these men of enviable talents and leadership ability”

    The PDP presidential candidate also congratulated his party leaders and members on the gains so far recorded, affirming that the PDP is the true bastion of democracy and should be encouraged by these victories.

    According to him, with unity within the party, it will together continue to extend the boundaries of democracy and shrink the space occupied by tyranny.

  • EFCC seizes 10 choice properties from ex-FCT Minister, son

    EFCC seizes 10 choice properties from ex-FCT Minister, son

    •Anti-graft agency set for trial of Bala Mohammed

    The immediate past Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji  Bala Mohammed, and his son, Shamsudeen, have lost 10 choice houses and plots to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at least for now.

    The agency believes the properties were acquired by father and son with stolen public funds.

    They include three plots of land with development at various stages of completion at No 54 Mike Akhigbe Way, Jabi, Abuja; Plot 2276 Sunrise Estate, Asokoro, Abuja and Plot 1804 Damaturu Crescent, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Garki 11, Abuja; Nos. 1 and 3, Marian Street, Asokoro, Abuja and a twin plaza at Wuse Zone 3 by Tamarak Guest Inn, Abuja.

    The rest are: No. 7 Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja; an estate and plaza at Dawaki, opposite Gwarinpa, Abuja; an Estate at Jahi District, Abuja; three number duplex Abuja Investment Company Limited Estate, Abuja and a shop at Dubai Market, Kaura District, Abuja.

    “The seizure of the first three properties is on the strength of an interim forfeiture order by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja which temporarily forfeited the properties to the federal government pending the conclusion of investigation and determination of criminal charges against the suspect,” the Head of Media and Publicity of the anti-graft Commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said yesterday.

    “The court also gives the Commission power to appoint competent persons/firm to manage the assets/properties listed.

    “The rest properties were confiscated on the strength of the order by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja which forfeited the assets to the federal government pending the conclusion of investigation and determination of the criminal charges against the suspects.”

    He said the court also forbids “any disposal, conveyance, mortgage, lease, sale or alienation or otherwise of the property/assets.”

    The EFCC plans to arraign the ex-Minister in court any moment from now to face trial for alleged corruption.

    It was gathered yesterday that the EFCC has gone far in its investigation of the ex-Minister.

    He said the properties have been placed under temporary forfeiture until the trial of the two persons is concluded.

    Senator Bala Mohammed was arrested in connection with alleged N1billion fictitious contracts. He was also  questioned on alleged allocation of 12 choice plots to his son running into billions of Naira; 37 other commercial plots of land worth about N8billion to his suspected front and the controversial N1trillion Abuja land swap.

    A mansion allegedly worth N782million, belonging to the ex-Minister, has been placed under Interim Assets Forfeiture.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja on February 3, 2017 granted Shamsudeen Bala, bail in the sum of N100million with two sureties who must be private businessmen or public servants of the rank of assistant director and above.

    Bala is being prosecuted by the EFCC on a 15-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N1.2 billion.

    The accused was docked on February 1, 2017, along with four companies – Bird Trust Agro Allied Limited, Intertrans Global Logistic Limited, Diakin Telecommunications Limited and Bal-Vac Mining Nigeria Limited.

    Bala and Diakin Telecommunications Limited were accused of making cash payment of the sum of N74, 244,005 (seventy-four million, two hundred and forty-four thousand, five naira) to Abuja Investment Company Ltd without going through a financial institution.

    The offence was said to be in breach of Section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended in 2012).

    On arraignment, he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    One of the counts said: “That you, Shamsudeen Bala (alias Shamsudeen Mohammed Bala), Bird Trust Agro Allied Ltd and Intertrans Global Logistics Ltd sometime in 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did without going through a financial institution make cash payment of the sum of N296,000,000 (two hundred and ninety six million naira) only to A & K Constructions Ltd Abuja and Sunrise Estate Development Ltd for Construction of a house on plot nos 2116 and 2276 at Asokoro Gardens (alias Sunrise Estate) Abuja, which sum exceeded the statutory limit and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) and (4) of the same Act.”

    The trial of the ex-minister’s son is to commence on March 27, 2017.

  • Centenary project: Anyim walks out on Reps’ probe committee

    Centenary project: Anyim walks out on Reps’ probe committee

    • Accuses Committee chair of victimising him over Oteh
    • Says Hembe was angling for bribe, walks out on panel

    An on-going probe of the controversial Centenary City Project by the House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Capital Territory ended in a fiasco on Friday.
    The Chairman of the committee, Herman Hembe and the immediate past  Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim were locked in a war of words after Anyim objected to  Hembe presiding over the hearing.

    Anyim later walked out on the panel.

    The immediate past Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Bala Mohammed had his own brush with Hembe whose conducted be branded as childish and unrepresentative.

    The multi-billion dollar Centenary City Project was initiated by the Goodluck Jonathan Administration to mark the 100 years of the amalgamation of Nigeria’s Northern and Southern protectorates by the United Kingdom.

    It was cited in Abuja.

    The Reps Committee is probing alleged irregularities in the project implementation.

    Anyim accused Hembe of harassing him because he (Anyim)  refused to sack the former Director General of the Security and Exchange Commission, Ms Arunma Oteh as allegedly requested by Hembe after she accused Hembe of demanding bribe from her.

    “When the former Managing Director of Security and Exchange Commission accused you of demanding bribe from her, you pushed for her sack and I refused to sack her as Secretary to Government of the Federation. I will not allow you to use the platform of this committee to victimise me,” Anyim charged as tension began to rise at the session yesterday.

    Hember would not have that.

    He shot back at Anyim, who had once served as Senate President saying:”Point of order, point of order, point of order. No, no, no, no, no.

    “Hold on. The former Senate President cannot assume the chairmanship of the committee. It’s not fair. Please, sir, I have the privilege to be heard…”

    Anyim: “Okay, let us not get overheated. Mr Chairman, distinguished Hon. members, let me just say briefly…”

    Hembe: “Hold on, I am going to allow you to finish but hold on. Let me just say that we are a House of free laws, we are a House of order. We are a House of due process. This is not an avenue…. Let me just say to the former President of the Senate and the former SGF that in my opening remarks, I tried to show you courtesy…Please, don’t interrupt, as far as this hearing is concerned, I’m chairman here. I am chairman and I would not allow you to usurp that position!”

    But the former Senate President was unrelenting.

    He said: “Mr Chairman, you have been threatening to conduct this public hearing for over a year now. In fact, you ended last year with it and this year, you started again with it. You scheduled it for 27th of January and you later moved it to 1st of February  and again moved it to 3rd of February.”

    “Mr Chairman, we only discovered your game plan for all the postponements when you started sending messages to the  Managing Director to come and see you privately. It was after all your efforts to get the Managing Director to come and see you privately failed that you confirmed this date. I want you to know that nobody will see you privately, rather we are ready for the hearing.”

    Anyim said Hembe should disqualify himself from sitting on the committee. “Mr. Chairman, you can handover to the Vice Chairman and excuse us so that hearing can proceed.”

    But Hembe insisted on chairing the hearing.

    What followed was Anyim walking out of the venue leaving his aides behind.

    Anyim had earlier told the committee that the manner of his invitation as a former Chairman of the National Assembly was disrespectful and wondered why Hembe insisted on the probe when the Senate had concluded same.

    The former Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, who initially declined to speak on the issue, faulted Hembe’s approach,

    He said:”You’re putting the cart before the horse, we have procedures here. The minister of the FCT ( Mohammed Bello)  is here, yet you’re behaving childishly.”

    Efforts by members of the to make Mohammed withdraw his words fell on deaf ears.

    “I will not take it back. You can take me to court,” he retorted.

    Hembe chided Mohammed saying: “We expect that as an elder, as a Senator and a former Minister, your conduct should be above board.”

    A member of the committee, Linus Okorie (Ebonyi State) was incensed as Hembe would not allow him to conclude his questions to the stakeholders present.

    Hembe said that the Centenary Project comprising 1, 267 hectares was owned by two companies – Basic Start Limited and Company First Limited – with 10000 share capital each to two persons: Boma Ozobia and Paul Oki.

    He questioned how two persons were allocated such a huge expanse of land.

    The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) he said, must provide the committee with answers at the next sitting which scheduled for Tuesday

  • Killings: Abuja uncompleted buildings to be demolished

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Bala Mohammed, has said that illegal and uncompleted buildings in Abuja metropolis will be demolished.

    Mohammed made this known in Abuja on Thursday at a meeting with the House of Representatives Committee on Public Safety and National Security.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that on September 20, seven persons, alleged to be members of the Boko Haram sect, were killed by security operatives at an uncompleted building near Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja.

    He said the FCT administration would no longer condone any delay by developers in completing their buildings after being allocated plots of land.

    According to him, very soon, we will take a decisive action on uncompleted buildings in the FCT.

    “We will ensure that all buildings that have exceeded the two year period approved for building will be demolished.

    “If we cannot demolish, we will make it a Police Post, this time around we will take a definite action,” he said.

    The minister blamed the inability of the FCT Department of Development Control to carry out its mandate on frivolous court injunctions obtained by developers.

    He said that between 3,000 and 5,000 double allocations existed in the territory due to revocation and re-allocation of plots as a result of court injunctions.

    According to him, 100,000 illegal buildings have been identified since he took over as minister of the FCT.