Shamsudeen, son of ex-FCT minister, re-arraigned on amended charge

Shamsudeen Bala, son of Bala Mohammed, a former minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), has been re-arraigned on an amended charge.

Shamsudeen was first arraigned on a 15-count charge bordering on conspiracy and intentional failure to declare his assets.

But at the federal high court Abuja on Monday, Ben Ikani, prosecuting counsel, told the court that the amended charge which was filed on May 30 sought to probe the various sums of money in local and foreign currencies allegedly found in his account domiciled with Standard Chartered bank.

The amended charge read that $472,076, $32,512 and N672,387 were not declared in his Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) form A.

Chris Uche, counsel to the minister’s son, said he was only showed the amended charge in court.

He said that it was against the practise of the court for the government file an amended charge after the case had been adjourned to a later date for hearing.

Uche further prayed the court for more time to study the amended charge.

Both parties agreed that the plea be taken and Shamsudeen plead “not guilty”.

Nnamdi Dimgba, the judge, ruled that Shamsudeen should continue to enjoy his bail.

The trial was adjourned to June 26.

The ex-minister’s son was arraigned alongside Bird Trust Agro Allied Limited, Intertrans Global Logistics Limited, Diakin Telecommunications Limited and Bal-Vac Mining Nigeria Limited.

They are accused of money laundering.