A top source in the anti-graft agency has revealed that the former FCT minister was arrested around 10.39am on Monday and taken into custody for interrogation by a team of operatives.
It was gathered that the commission commenced discreet investigations into the activities of the man following a petition against him in 2013 while he was still in office.
An insider said, “We have been on the probe for some times. As we are talking now, the former minister is writing his statement.”It was learnt that the EFCC was investigating the ex-minister for alleged fictitious contracts worth N1billion and the allocation of 12 properties and 37 commercial plots of land to a suspected front of Mohammed and a controversial Abuja land swap deal put at N1trillion.
It was learnt that prior to the arrest of the ex-minister, EFCC had interrogated directors of the FCT.
Those quizzed, the source added, included the Director of Treasury, Ibrahim Bomoi, his counterpart in charge of Land, Babayo Mainasara, and the Director in charge of Abuja Geographical Information Service, Ms Jamila Tangaza.
The commission was also said to have quizzed the son of the former minister, Samshudeen Bala, and one Tariq Hammoud, said to be a front for the minister.
“His arrest is the high point of the investigation in which the owners of 16 companies have been questioned by EFCC for being linked to allegations of awarding fictitious contracts,” he stated.
It was further learnt that as the investigation progressed, the commission seized four houses said to be owned by the former FCT minister, and his son in August.
The commission put the value of the seized houses at N872million.
It was learnt that commission had secured a temporary asset forfeiture order in August to seize two houses, located at number 1 and 3 Muktah Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
EFCC is also said to have confiscated three duplexes from the ex-minister’s son, valued at N225m.
