The Federal High Court Abuja has discharged and acquitted Shamsudeen Bala, son of former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Mohammed on 11 out of 20-count charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba acquitted Bala on Tuesday while ruling on a no-case submission filed by the defendant.
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 Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC had alleged that the four companies were used by Bala to launder over N1.1 billion.
The EFCC also 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.
The anti-graft agency 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.
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.
On the allegation that Bala bought the property with cash above the stipulated financial threshold, the court noted that there was no evidence to back the claim.
The court held that the evidence laid by the prosecution witness amounted to hearsay and therefore was not tenable in law.
The judge, however, dismissed the no-case submission in respect of counts 11, 12, 13, 14,15 and 16, which bordered on the failure of Bala to disclose his assets in the assets declaration form he filled at the EFCC.
The trial court insisted 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.
(NAN)
