Court remands ex-FCT Minister in Kuje prison
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in Gudu has ordered that former minister of the FCT, Bala Muhammed be remanded in Kuje prisons until Friday when ruling will be made on his bail application.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today arraigned the former minister before Justice Abubakar Talba on charges bordering on bribery and false asset declaration in the sum of N864 million and properties in Abuja and Kaduna.
According to the EFCC, the ex-minister accepted N550 million in gratification from the Aso Savings and Loans Ltd, in respect of house 2599 and 2600 Cadastral Zone AO4, Asokoro, Abuja sometime in 2014.
After pleading not guilty to the charge, his counsel Chris Uche (SAN) applied for bail on self-recognizance for him. He said bail is the constitutional right of the defendant and being a former Senator and Minister, he should be granted on self-recognizance.
Prosecution counsel, Ben Ikani however opposed to the application. He told the court that even if the defendant would be granted bail, the conditions should be such stringent that will compel the defendant to appear in court throughout the trial.
Justice Talba thereafter adjourned the matter to Friday 12th June for ruling on the bail application. He ordered that the ex-minister be remanded in Kuje Prisons pending the determination of the application.
