Mustapha Audu, son of former Kogi State Governor, Prince Abubakar Audu has been arraigned in an Abuja High Court over an alleged a N18m fraud.
Audu’s son was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) alongside his wife, Zahrah Audu and their company, Constructor Guild Ltd. before the court.
They were alleged to have collected N18m from one Nike Kolawole to acquire a four-bedroom apartment for her at Ruskin Terrace, Katamkpe Extension, Abuja, but failed to do so.
Testifying against the accused persons, a prosecution witness, Mr Abdul Ibrahim, led in evidence by EFCC Counsel, Mr Samuel Ugwuegulam told the court that the matter was reported by one Mrs Nike Kolawole.
In his testimony, Ibrahim said that the accused obtained the same amount under false pretext while the complainant paid N3m first as commitment fee.
He further testified that the complainant paid the first instalment of N10m for the 4-bedroom apartment and another N5m instalment.
The EFCC witness said he discovered during investigation that the first accused took Mrs. Kolawole (the complainant) to one plot of land in Idu-Sabo village, Abuja, where they claimed to have proposed a mass housing estate.
He said that the accused made five different statements during interrogation at the EFCC office, and the prosecuting counsel therefore craved the indulgence of the court to tender the statements in evidence.
However, counsel to the accused Mr Okechukwu Ajunwa, did not oppose the application. Justice Sadiq Umar therefore admitted the statements of the accused dated May 14, 16, 31, 14 and June 12, 2013 and marked as Exhibits 9 and 10 respectively.
Ajunwa however prayed the court to issue an order directing the EFCC to release the accused person’s passport, having been on bail granted by the court, to enable him travel for medical reasons out the country.
Justice Abubakar Umar adjourned the case to Oct 28 for continuation of cross examination.
It would be recalled that Mustapha Audu and Zahra Audu were arraigned by the EFCC on a three-count charge of alleged conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence and fraud against them.
