Former Kogi State governor's son charged with armed robbery and attempted murder

FORMER Kogi State governor Abubakar Audu's son Mohammed has been charged with armed robbery by the police and arraigned before a Lokoja magistrate's court for charges that include causing grievous harm and an attempt to commit culpable homicide.

 

Prince Abubakar Audu served as Kogi State governor between 1999 and 2003 and was re-elected last year but unfortunately died of s stroke before he could even be formally declared winner. In a big embarrassment for his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mohammed, the former governor's first son has been charged with criminal conspiracy, causing grievous harm, mischief, armed robbery and attempt to commit culpable homicide.

 

Prosecutor Gabriel Otuwo, said that Mohammed’s uncle, Yahaya Audu, reported that he and one Ibrahim Abubakar were attacked on August 30 by hoodlums in their country home at Ogbonija in Ofu Local Government Area of the state. Already, his father's supporters in the Audu/Faleke Political Organisation have described the arrest as a provocative act of executive lawlessness.

 

Its spokesman, Duro Meseko, said the act was aimed at justifying a predetermined goal of creating an atmosphere of insecurity in the state with the Supreme Court judgement approaching. They are obviously pointing the finger at Governor Yahaya Bello, who they see as trying to intimidate them.

 

However, in court prosecutor, Otuwo, said: “Yahaya Audu was in the village for the eight day fidau prayer of Daudu Audu, when the hoodlums, armed with guns, cutlasses and axe, invaded his compound, pretending to be visitors. He welcomed them and they requested that he should give them something, no matter how small.

 

"While walking towards his Hummer jeep to give them money, he was attacked from behind and he fell. When they attempted to carry him, he escaped into a nearby bush, so the gang vandalised his hummer jeep and made away with his Samsung Note 3 but in the process, Ibrahim Abubakar and Yahaya Audu sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to Specialist Hospital, Lokoja.”

 

Since Governor Bello was chosen by the APC to replace Prince Audu, the party has been split, with Hon James Faleke, Prince Audu's running mate, refusing to accept the decision, saying he is the legitimate candidate. He even rejected the offer of being Governor Bello's running mate, saying he won the elections and should been given a certificate of return.