By Abiola Olawale
A former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Bello Mohammed has been re-arraigned before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in an alleged ₦300M fraud.
On Monday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Mohammed, before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, over his alleged role in the diversion of funds meant for the procurement of arms during the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
The New Diplomat reports that Mohammed’s trial started at the Federal High Court in Abuja in January 2016. In the fresh arraignments, Mohammed will face trial alongside his company, Bam Projects and Properties Ltd, for alleged criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
Mohammed was re-arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on his alleged role in the diversion of funds meant for the procurement of arms, through the office of the ex-National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.
In count one, the EFCC accused Mohammed, his son, Bello Abba Mohammed (now deceased), and his company of having taken possession of the sum of ₦300m paid into the account of Bam Project and Properties Ltd with Sterling Bank Plc, from the account of the office of the NSA with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)on or about March 17, 2015.
At the day’s proceedings, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts, leading the counsel to the EFCC to apply for a trial date.
The defendant’s counsel, Kanu Agabi, however, prayed the court to allow Mohammed to continue on existing bail granted by Justice Ahmed Mohammed.
Agabi argued that Mohammed did not flout the earlier bail conditions granted him, pleading that he would not jump bail.
Although Atolagbe did not oppose Agabi’s application, he however argued that his bail was once revoked for breaching the terms.
Justice Lifu, who admitted Mohammed to the bail earlier granted by a sister court, adjourned the matter till May 7 and May 8 for trial.
