The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has accused Abuja-based ex-banker, Mrs. Maimuna Aliyu, of involvement in a corruption case being prosecuted by the commission.
In a new application filed by EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Ben Ikani, against former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, and his son, Shamsuddeen, Aliyu was alleged to have served as proxy to the former minister in unlawful property dealings in and around Abuja while he was in office.
A recent report had quoted EFCC as saying that Mohammed and his son “have denied ownership and connection†to the buildings in question. But EFCC insisted “preliminary investigation has revealed that the properties listed on the schedule are unlawfully acquired through corrupt practices by the former minister and his son while in office as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.â€
The commission claimed its investigation revealed that some of the properties were procured through proxies and nominees of the former minister. It stated in a new application, “The crux of this application is that the respondents are being investigated for offences bordering on abuse of office, land scams, corruption and corrupt practices, money laundering and diversion of revenue of government while being the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.†EFCC said the properties were held in the names of different companies and one Maimuna S. Aliyu, whom it described as Mohammed’s proxy, allegedly, used to acquire the houses at 1A and 2A of No. 7 Gana Street, Maitama, Abuja.
The federal government in August withdrew Aliyu’s nomination to the board of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission after, allegedly, discovering she was being investigated for corrupt practices by EFCC.
