By Vivian Okejeme
Abuja
A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Shamsudeen, Sen. Bala Mohammed’s son, Ishaya Daudu, yesterday, gave details of how the defendant spent over N1billion to acquire properties in Abuja.
Shamsudeen was re-arraigned on a 15-count charge on May 30, 2017, alongside four companies, Bird Trust Agro Allied Ltd, Intertrans Global Logistics Ltd, Diakin Telecommunications Ltd, and Bal-Vac Mining Nigeria Ltd, where the sum of N1,105,719,005 was allegedly frittered.
The amended 15 counts, was according to the federal government, to specify the various sums of money in local and foreign currencies found in Samsudeen’s account number 0000895020 domiciled with Standard Chartered bank.
When led in evidence-in-chief by the prosecution counsel, Ben Ikanni, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission(EFCC) operative said he came to know about the 1st defendant (Samsudeen) in the cause of investigation against the former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Bala Mohammed.
“He bought two properties from AIDC located at Apo area of Abuja; another property purchased is located at No. 7 Gana Street, Maitama, where he brought N210million cash in company of a lady by name, Maimuna Sanda.
“Together they took the money (cash) to the developer, Farouk Saleh.
“Another property purchased is at Sunrise Hill Estate Asokoro, where the 1st defendant made cash lodgement of N80million, for two plots of land to the then Managing Director of the company ( late Sam Abou Gaounde), a Lebanese.
“All these lodgements were made in the name of a company known as Birdtrust Agro-allied Ltd.
“The last time he made cash lodgement to A & K was N296million.
“At this point, the defendant transferred all his interests to a company called Inter-trans Global Logistics Ltd,” the witness said.
Upon execution of the search, the EFCC witness said, “We recovered N580, 000 and $60,000 among other items.”
Counsel to 1st defendant, Chris Uche (SAN) deferred his cross examination and the court adjourned to December 11, for continuation of trial.
