Bauchi governor-elect Bala Mohammed gets reprieve as judge is away on election tribunal duty

BAUCHI State governor-elect Senator Bala Mohammed has had a reprieve in his ongoing corruption trial as his case was adjourned this morning because the judge Justice Yusuf Haliru was unavailable because he is sitting on an elections petition tribunal.

In March, Senator Mohamed was elected as the Bauchi State governor and is due to assume office on May 29 but he still has an outstanding corruption charge with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Between 2010 and 2015, Senator Mohammed served as the Federal Capital Territory minister and is facing charges for his conduct while in office, including the false declaration of assets.

This morning, Senator Bala, who also sat in the National Assembly between 2007 and 2010, appeared in court in Abuja to face the charges but Justice Haliru was not available. Apart from the previous charges of corruption, the EFCC have filed six fresh counts, bordering on the false declaration of assets and giving false information against him.

However, Senator Mohammed and his counsel were present but the court today as was the EFCC team but the case could not go ahead as Justice Haliru was on election petition duty in Abeokuta, Ogun State. It is not yet clear if the case will be heard before Senator Mohammed assumes office on May 29 and starts to enjoy immunity from prosecution.

EFCC counsel Wahab Shittu, said: “It is a matter that was ongoing before another judge who has now been elevated to the Court of Appeal. Just a week ago, the registry of this court sent us a notice that today has been fixed for the re-arraignment of the defendant."

He added that the expectation was that the matter would soon be reassigned to another judge where it will begin afresh. According to Mr Shittu, no one should see what was happening as an attempt by the EFCC to intimidate anyone.