Two Abuja high courts have ordered that the immediate past Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, and his son, Shamsudeen, temporarily forfeit 10 properties to the Federal Government.
The courts barred the suspects from selling anything found in the properties, including luxury cars, jewelries and other valuables.
Justice Abang ordered the temporary forfeiture of the properties "to the Federal Government pending the conclusion of investigation and determination of criminal charges against the suspects."
He said, "The court also gives the commission power to appoint competent persons/firm to manage the assets/properties listed."
The remaining properties were confiscated on the strenght of the order by Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which ordered that the assets be "forfeited to the Federal Government pending the conclusion of investigation and determination of the criminal charges against the suspects."
According to Sunday PUNCH report, the properties 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 Cresent, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Garki 11, Abuja. Two other properties, belonging to the ex-minister, which were also seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, are located at No. 1 and 3 Marian Street, Asokoro, Abuja and a twin plaza at Wuse Zone 3 by Tamarak Guest Inn, Abuja.
Five other properties, belonging to the former minister's son were also seized.
The EFCC had, on Feb 1, 2016, arraigned Shamsudeen for alleged fraud to the tune of N1,105,719,005. The EFCC also slammed 15 charges on the fomer FCT minister's son and four other companies.
The EFCC accused Shamsudeen of carrying out business transactions worth billions of naira in cash, which is in violation of the Money Laundering Act. He was also accused of buying all the properties in cash.
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