Former PDP chairman facing N300 million fraud trial suffers paralysis
A former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bello Halilu Mohammed, who is standing trial for N300 million fraud has suffered paralysis and can no longer walk.
His counsel, Mr Duncan David Oluohu, told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, where the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought a case against him, his late son, Bello Abba Mohammed, and a firm, Bam Projects and Property Ltd, Leadership reports.
The EFCC had in January 2016 arraigned the three for allegedly receiving N300 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser former (ONSA), under retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, for PDP’s 2015 campaigns.
During the hearing of the case on Tuesday, Akeem Bakare, who announced appearance for the second defendant (Bam Projects and Property Ltd) told the court that the case was scheduled for continuation of trial after the first defendant has died.
Bakare said Abba’s death, which occurred on January 6 has further led to deterioration in the deceased’s father’s health condition.
“He is currently paralysed and can’t walk. That is why he is not in court today,” Oluohu said.
Lawyer to the prosecution, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, confirmed the development in relation to the first defendant.
Atolagbe added that the defence availed him with a photocopy of the first defendant’s death certificate shortly before the commencement of the court’s proceedings.
He condoled with the deceased’s family and his lawyers and prayed the court strike out Abba’s name from the charge and adjourn to a later date for the continuation of trial in relation to the remaining defendants.
Vynda Onochie (who represented Abba), Bakare, and Oluohu did not object to Atolagbe’s applications, following which the judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed adjourned till March 28.
