A multi-million naira property belonging to the Bauchi Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed has been seized by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). 

According to ICPC the seizure was pursuant to its powers contained in Section 45 (4) (a-c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Spokesperson of the commission, Mrs. Rasheedat A, Okoduwa made this known in a statement on Tuesday.

It however emphasised that the governor will be prosecuted after his tenure, saying he enjoys immunity by virtue of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution.

The statement reads in part: “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.

“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 Justice Danladi Senchi of FCT High Court 13, Jabi, was withdrawn by the Commission to forestall its being struck out by the court suo moto.

“Following the notice of seizure, the Commission will apply to the court for an order of forfeiture under Section 48 of the ICPC Act in line with the Federal Government Policy focusing on recovery of proceeds of crime, pending when the tenure of the governor expires.”