One of Nigerian public personalities roped in the arms deal fraud currently investigated by anti-graft agency, EFCC has been freed from confinement.
Bala Mohammed
After spending 45 days in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the immediate past Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, on Thursday, finally regained his freedom, according to the Nigerian Tribune.
Mohammed, who had been in custody since Monday, October 24, when he voluntarily reported at the headquarters of the anti-corruption commission in Abuja, was released by EFCC at about 5.00 p.m. on Thursday.
While the former presidential spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, who was detained same day with the former minister had since been granted bail by the commission, Kauran Bauchi, as Senator Mohammed is fondly called by his admirers, had to spend longer period in custody before being released.
The former minister, through his counsel, Chief Chris Uche, brought an application of violation of fundamental human right against EFCC for detaining him beyond the constitutional timeline before an FCT High Court.
He also sought the order of the court for the anti-corruption commission to release him on bail, pending his arraignment in court and an order of the court for the commission to produce him in court.
He also wanted an award of N100 million damages against EFCC. Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, sitting at FCT High Court 4, Maitama, had, on Tuesday, November 29, while ruling on the application by the former minister, granted Senator Mohammed bail on the earlier conditions given him by EFCC.