From: GODWIN TSA, Abuja
After six weeks in detention, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed from its custody.
The decision was sequel to an order of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), vacating the remand warrant which the Commission was relying upon to hold the former in its custody.
It was counsel to the former Minister, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) who moved the court to vacate the remand warrant.
Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf had on November 29, 2016, issued an order directing the anti-graft agency to Senator Bala Mohammed from detention after granting him bail pending the determination of the substantive suit filed by him.
However, days days after the enrolled order of the court was served on the Commission, it refused to comply with the order of court relying on the remand order of court, which was yesterday vacated by Justice Yusuf.
Before his eventual release yesterday, the former minister had threatened to commence committal proceedings against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over his continued detention against a subsisting order of court that directing his release from the custody of the Commission.
In a letter addressed to the Acting Chairman of the EFCC dated December 5, 2016, Uche lamented the inability of the Commission to obey the orders of the court after same was been served on them.
The letter which was cited with the caption ;Refusal to obey court order in suit no: FCT/HC/CV/220/2016 Senator Bala Mohammed Vs EFCC” noted that his client had since met his bail conditions yet “you have refused to release him or produce him to court.”
The former minister, who was arrested and detained since October 24, 2016, when he went to honour an invitation by the Commission, has filed a N100 million fundamental human right suit against the anti-graft agency over his continued detention.
However, before the determination of the substantive suit, his counsel, Chief Chris Uche [SAN] also filed an application praying the court to release him on bail pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
