N1.1 Billion Fraud: EFCC appeals acquittal of Bauchi governor’s son Shamsudeen

EFCC has filed an appeal against Shamsudeen Mohammed, the son of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi.

Kunle Sanni • March 24, 2023

Shamsudeen Bala Mohammed and EFCC officers

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an appeal against Shamsudeen Mohammed, the son of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi.

The anti-graft agency was appealing a recent judgment of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, which discharged and acquitted Mr Mohammed of the N1.1 billion fraud charge against him.

According to the appeal filed on Wednesday, the EFCC expressed dissatisfaction with the lower court’s judgment on 15 grounds.

In its appeal filed by its counsel, Wahab Shittu, the commission argued that the trial judge erred in law in the judgment.

Mr Shittu said the trial court ignored 43 legally admissible evidential materials of proof beyond reasonable doubt in its prosecution against Mr Mohammed.

“The admissible evidential materials were tendered by the appellant against the respondent before the trial court without objection taken by the respondent against their admissibility, indicating that the contents are unassailable,” he stated.

The commission also argued in its appeal that “The Learned trial court erred in law when it failed to convict the defendant and held that the offences constituting counts 11 to 15, which the respondent was charged and established on record by the prosecution, could only be charged under Section 27(3)(a) of EFCC Act, 2004.

In February, the federal court discharged and acquitted Mr Mohammed of a N1.1 billion fraud charge brought against him. The EFCC had filed a 20-count charge bordering on money laundering against Mr Bala.

Mr Mohammed’s acquittal followed an earlier judgment by the trial judge, Nnamdi Dimgba, on December 14 filed by the defendant. The judge also dismissed 11 out of the 20 charges filed by the EFCC against Mr Bala.

The EFCC had, in 2017, arraigned Mr Bala on charges of money laundering and others.

According to the commission, the crime was committed during his father’s tenure as FCT minister.

Mr Muhammed also faced corruption charges in a different case until he gained immunity after he was elected Bauchi governor in May 2019.

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