ICPC Seizes Landed Property from Bauchi Gov

Kingsley Nwezeh

Pursuant to its powers contained in Section 45 (4) (a-c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed that it has seized a multi-million naira property belonging to the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, formerly the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The property, which houses Zinaria International School is located at Plot 298 Wuye District, Cadastral Zone B3, FCT, Abuja.

ICPC’s intelligence-led investigation revealed that Mohammed in his official capacity as the FCT minister, had allocated the said property to a school that had himself and family members as directors and shareholders, despite an existing right of the Federal

Ministry of Agriculture over the land.

To this end, the commission will issue notices of seizure and shall cause them to be served on the appropriate land registry, ministry and department where the property is situated as required by law.

According to a statement issued yesterday by ICPC, Mohammed had earlier been charged for using his office to confer corrupt advantage upon himself and relations under Section 19 of ICPC law but could not be arraigned before he was sworn in as Governor of Bauchi State.

“In view of the provisions of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the charge which was pending before Hon. Justice Senchi of FCT High Court 13, Jabi, was withdrawn by the Commission to forestall its being struck out by the court suo moto.