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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Monday March 18, 2013 arraigned the former governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu alongside a former Director General of the Directorate of Rural Development in his administration, Alfa Ibn Mustapha before Justice A.O. Adeniyi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
Audu and his co-accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them, prompting the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN to request for a date for the commencement of trial.
One of the charges read: “that you Prince Abubakar Audu and Alfa Ibn Mustapha between 2000 and 2002 at Abuja in the Abuja judicial division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory while being the governor of Kogi state and Director General of Kogi State Directorate of Rural Development respectively, and in such capacities entrusted with dominion over certain property, to wit: an aggregated sum of N2,877, 487,690.88 meant for rural development in Kogi State committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said sum which you falsely claim to be payment made to Aresanmi Technical Industries Limited in respect of the contract allegedly awarded Kogi State Directorate of Rural Development to the said Aresanmi Technical Industries Limited and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code, CAP 532, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990”.
However, counsel to the first accused, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, prayed the court to allow his client to return home on bail pending trial. He argued that the accused would make himself available for trial and that he would not jump bail. Counsel to the second accused, Prince Orji Nwafor Orizu also made the same plea for bail saying the two accused have been on administrative bail. But prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN opposed the oral application, insisting that a formal application should be presented before the court.
Justice Adeniyi however granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N100million and a surety in like sum. The surety must have a property within the jurisdiction of the court with proof of ownership. The surety must also produce evidence of tax payment for the past 3 years, and must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.
The judge adjourned the case to May 2 and 3, 2013 for trial.
Ex-Gov Audu Beat Up Our Man Over Picture – EFCC [March 5, 2015]
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has accused former Kohi state Governor, Abubakar Audu of ordering his security aide to attack on of their operatives over a picture.
A statement released by the EFCC said that Audu’s security aide (a police officer) attacked Haruna Ashade, after he took a picture of the ex governor.
Abubakar Audu
The statement was released by Spokesperson of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said Mr. Ashade, a member of the EFCC team assigned to cover the proceedings, “was carrying out his lawful duties when Mr. Audu’s aide descended on him”.
Mr. Uwujaren continued, “The sudden realisation that his image might have been captured by the cameraman, incensed Prince Audu. Seething with rage, he demanded for the camera. When Ashade refused to hand the equipment over to the accused person, Prince Audu called on one of his aides, a police inspector, to forcefully collect the camera from Ashade and delete his pictures from it.
“A scuffle ensured which threw the court into confusion. Audu’s aide rained blows on Ashade, in the attempt to snatch the camera from him. It took the personal intervention of Justice Ademola Adeniyi who was about coming out of his chambers to restore order.
“Justice Adeniyi sent one of his assistants and his orderly to restrain Prince Audu’s aide.
The Justice then immediately ordered the release of the said camera into the custody of the court until after the sitting. Ashade obliged them.
“However, to the dismay of officials of the EFCC, when the camera was released, all the pictures taken in court had been deleted.”
When the case was brought to court, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN asked for the adjournment of the case for reasons of non availability of his witnesses in court.
He revealed to the court on Monday he was late and was not informed that the bank witnesses were not available.
He also said that the prosecution is working to present a new witnesses to testify.
The first accused’s council, Patrick Ikwueto, SAN, said that the prosecution’s other witnesses not contained in the proof of evidence, there is a need for defendants to be served with their statement.
Audu is being sued by the EFCC over the criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N10,965,837,040 (ten billion, nine hundred and sixty five million, eight hundred and thirty seven thousand and forty naira). Naij.com