Former Governor of Kogi state, Prince Abubakar Audu has said that he is ready to stand trial for allegedly stealing N4 billion funds of Kogi state during his reign as Governor.
Audu who had earlier denied allegation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he evaded arrest, said yesterday through his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), that his appeal to the Supreme Court was just to exhaust all the legal remedy available to him under the ambit of the nation’s statute books.
Ozekhome confided on LEADERSHIP SUNDAY that Audu will be ready to stand trial the moment he return from his treatment abroad.
While denying that he evaded EFCC arrest, Audu had said that he had been outside the country eight days before the day the operatives of the commission attempted to arrest him.
The commission had last Monday reported a failed attempt by its operatives to arrest Audu as it claimed the former governor fled his No. 32, Suleiman Barau street, Aso Villa, Asokoro, Abuja residence.
But Audu in a quick response said he was out for medical treatment as a result of a motor accident he had along Abuja – Jos road some weeks ago and wondered why the commission would go ahead to tarnish his image and give the impression that he had become a fugitive.
In a letter written on his behalf by his lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and addressed to the Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, he said that he flew out of the country through a lawful route – the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja and argued that he can therefore not be accused of fleeing especially that he is a “free citizen of Nigeria.”
The said letter to Lamorde reads: “This is to inform you that Prince Abubakar Audu is at present outside the shores of Nigeria, receiving medical treatment following a ghastly motor accident he was involved in on the 29th of September, 2012, along Abuja?Jos Road. He had legally travelled out of Nigeria through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport as a free citizen of Nigeria on December 4, 2012.
“As was heavily publicised in the Nigerian media, following the said motor accident, Prince Abubakar Audu had been immediately admitted briefly at the Deef Hospital Aso Drive, Maitama, Abuja, for first aid treatment before he was flown to a hospital in London for further intensive medical attention as an emergency case, after he had achieved some measure of stability.