The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a criminal charge against the Governor-elect of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

The anti-graft agency charged the former FCT Minister with accepting gratification in form of a house valued at ₦550million located at No 2599 & 2600 Cadastral Zone AO4, Asokoro District, Abuja from Aso Savings & Loans Plc in 2014.

The Commission, through its prosecuting counsel, Mr. Wahab Shittu said the alleged gratification was accepted as reward by Mohammed ‘for performing official duties’ which he said was contrary to Section 18 (b) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under Section 18 (d).

Among the six-count charge numbered CR/177/1 is also an allegation that Mohammed lied to an EFCC investigating officer, Ishaya Dauda that he acquired the property through a mortgage facility from Aso Savings & Loans.

Mohammed was also accused of failing to make full disclosure of his property on 54, Mike Akhigbe Street, Jabi, Abuja and another property in Agwan Sarki, Kaduna in Kaduna State in the course of filing his asset declaration form at the EFCC.

The Commission said the offence is contrary to Section 27 (3) (a) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (3) (c).

The EFCC also said the governor-elect made a false declaration that a property located on AP Street, Mbora, Abuja belongs to him as the property actually belongs to one Abubakar Abdu Mohammed.