For the second time in one day, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has lost corruption cases in court.

Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court Abuja, has discharged and acquitted Shamsudeen Bala, son of Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed, of the fraud charges instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Bala was arraigned by the EFCC, alongside four companies – Bird Trust Agro Allied Limited, Intertrans Global Logistic Ltd, Diakin Telecommunications Ltd and Bal-Vac Mining Nigeria Ltd

The antigraft agency slammed a 20-count charge bordering on money laundering against him.

He was said to have diverted funds when his father served as former FCT minister.

The EFCC told the court that defendant allegedly “acquired houses in highbrow areas of Abuja and paid cash to conceal the illicit origin of the funds.

“The assets include 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,” the EFCC lawyer, Wahab Shittu had told the court.

But the governor’s son pleaded not guilty to the charges and maintained through his lawyer, Chris Uche SAN, that he had no case to answer.

On Tuesday, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba held that the EFCC did not prove its allegations beyond reasonable doubt and failed to establish the ingredients of the alleged offence.

On the EFCC’s allegations that the defendant forged signatures and documents to access illegal funds, the judge said the antigraft agency’s forensic expert did not provide evidence that those signatures on the documents were that of Shamshudeen.

Dimgba concluded that the “burden of proof rests on the prosecution”, but it did not do proper investigation on its allegations.

The judge thereby discharged the defendant, ordering the EFCC to “immediately” return the monies they moved away from the governor’s son’s house.

Speaking to newsmen, Shittu said the trial court proceedings was just the first leg of the legal battle, implying the EFCC may proceed to the Court of Appeal and up to the Supreme Court, if need be.

Earlier, THE WHISTLER reported that the same court quashed the EFCC money laundering and procurement fraud case against Olajide Omokore, his company, Atlantic Energy Brass Development Ltd, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited, Victor Briggs ( former managing director, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, and Abiye Membere.

Justice Dimgba presided over the case in the morning.

The EFCC accused the defendants of perpetuating the fraud in respect of a Strategic Alliance Agreement with relevant oil companies to the tune of $1.6billion.

But the judge acquitted the business mogul while convicting Briggs and Membere for collecting exotic cars from the first defendant while serving as public officials.

https://thewhistler.ng/breaking-efcc-loses-again-as-court-discharges-bauchi-governors-son-of-n1-1b-fraud-charges/

Previous thread
https://www.nairaland.com/4169902/shamsudeen-bala-mohammed-spent-n1.1#62274109

https://www.nairaland.com/3606995/shamsudeen-bala-enjoying-luxury-cars#53354185

https://www.nairaland.com/3271744/efcc-seizes-houses-bala-mohammed#48231631

https://www.nairaland.com/3608593/court-grants-shamsudeen-mohammed-bail#53379947

Ok

Lol while dere surpporters are inside the sun queuing For Petrol and Cash...

Another bought judgement

Judiciary

Naija judicial system na wah

That boy is above the law na, a whole governor son na him Nigerian law wan catch?

We know how everything dey go.

Nigeria Judiciary has become a joke

Peter Obi is coming

Above the law.

At least the EFCC was able to secure the convictions of some internet fraudsters.

Under the Buhari administration, the parastatal was a toothless bulldog wasting our resources on pretentious prosecutions that they do not intend to win.

Shame on the judiciary too, for not convicting the EFCC of its blatant incompetence.

The level of corruption in this country is mind boggling

Our judicially system still effective ?

These Fulanis will ruin this country

Forget niaja court there is no justice there only injustice d court garuantee.if u seek for justice avoid niaja court.

Na wa.

Politicians are never guilty.

inoki247:
Lol while dere surpporters are inside the sun queuing For Petrol and Cash...

It seems I'm the only one who finds you very unstable on this platform. Lol

Wow. I am surprised

.either you like it or not Tinubu must win .

Forget Abt this man and let's focus on 25th election were JAGANAN will win

Kai! Naija

Okay ooo

Your Enemies Will Run Far From You if you can do This. Follow this step by step guide



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wzHXvYtzHY

Honestly, i don't give a shyt....Even s judiciary way dey acquit these corrupt elite likely due to monetary inducement" will eventually get what's coming to them.

If them like, let them even appoint the supposed thief as speaker house of d federal republic, after all they love acquitting criminals & handing over power to d undeserved 🤷

God dey....all these family businesses you are running with the judiciary.....the has come.....we are voting for the best to come clear these mess....Obi is our man

APC he completely destroyed this country, from corruption, bad leadership, printingvof new currency, fuel scarcity nd NOW POCKETING of the judiciary
The way they hve been getting backyard victories via bribery of of Judges is quite alarming
I don't see any hope for Gov Adeleke of Osun if Ahmed Lawan and Akpabio could be declared the right candidates of APC in the senate in the coming election
Nigeria needs to be liberated
Use your PVC,
VOTE OBIDATTI

What is our judiciary and court turning to this days.....first was akpabio, then lawan and now this....may God save us this 2023!

We will soon rest from the hands of these core northerners. Please vote Obi

Only those that expect Nigeria to get better one day will be pained by this news.

Nigeria my country