The Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered the remand of Shamsudeen Bala, son of former FCT Minister, in Kuje Prison, pending ruling on his bail application.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) arraigned Bala on Wednesday on 15counts of money laundering to the tune of N1.1billion.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to charges preferred against him but the presiding judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, adjourned trial till 27th and 28th March. While he fixed ruling on bail application for 3rd February.
It had earlier been reported that Bala bought houses and plots of land in choice areas in Abuja, paying cash running into billions.
The defense counsel, Chief Chris Uche(SAN), had applied for the bail of the defendant.
He told the court that he filed and served the motion on notice for the bail, dated Jan. 27 and filed on same date.
He said the motion was supported by an 18-paragraph affidavit and they are relying on all the paragraphs of the affidavit.
He added that if bail is granted to the defendant, he will attend to his trial and will not abuse the bail granted to him.
The prosecution counsel, Ben Ikani, opposed the bail application, saying the defendant may not be trusted.
He said the defendant refused to submit his international passport to the EFCC, which portrays him as a flight risk.
He further said the prosecution had filed an 11-paragraph affidavit, dated Jan. 31 and they rely on all the paragraphs.
