EFCC arrests former FCT minister Bala Mohammed

A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Details of Mr. Mohammed’s arrest remained fuzzy as at the time of filing this report, but sources confirmed he was in detention at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday night, Leadership newspaper reports.

“Yes, we have him in our custody,” a source said. Another source said Mr. Mohammed’s detention was still being processed at about 8:45 p.m. on Monday. He is expected to spend at least Monday night at the commission’s office.

The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, could not be reached for comment late Monday.
Mr. Mohammed, a former senator from Bauchi State, served as the Minister of the FCT under President Goodluck Jonathan between 2010-15.

An anti-corruption crackdown launched by the Muhammadu Buhari administration shortly after assuming office last year had seen dozens of the Jonathan administration officials and associates arrested for corruption.

Alongside Mr. Mohammed, others in EFCC custody as at Monday night were Musiliu Obanikoro, a former minister of state for defence; Femi Fani-Kayode, a spokesperson for Mr.
Jonathan’s re-election campaign last year, and Reuben Abati, the former president’s spokesperson while in office.