The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former governor of Kogi State, Abubakar Audu, wanted for offences bordering on conspiracy, stealing and misappropriation of public fund.
A press statement signed by the acting head of media and publicity of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, said the action followed the failure of the suspect to respond to invitation by the anti-graft agency.
Consequently, the EFCC asked anyone having useful information about the whereabouts of the suspect to notify its offices in Abuja , Port Harcourt,Lagos, Kano and Enugu, or report at the nearest police station.
Uwajaren further said the attempt by the EFCC to arrest Audu at his 32, Sulaiman Barau Street , Asokoro, Abuja residence on December 11, 2012, failed as he allegedly evaded arrest.
‘’The former governor is alleged to have fraudulently enriched himself to the tune of over N4 billion while he held sway as governor of Kogi State between 1999 and 2003.
“The move to arrest the ex-governor followed a Supreme Court ruling of November 23, 2012, which dismissed the ex-governor’s appeal to continue to protract his corruption trial by EFCC.”
But? Audu had yesterday approached a Federal High Court sitting in? Abuja Division. asking? it to stop the EFCC from launching fresh legal offensive against him on the ground that it amounted to “an abuse of court process”.?
He asked the court to award the sum of N100 million representing damages for the unlawful and unconstitutional invasion of his privacy, home and family life.??????
In an originating summons filed by Mike Ozekhome (SAN) on behalf of Audu, he asked the court to put to an end “an abuse of court process” by stopping EFCC from commencing any fresh process of investigation and or prosecution against him in respect of his tenure as Governor of Kogi State between May, 1999 and May, 2002 since he had already been arraigned on? 80-count charge currently pending at the High Court of Lokoja, Kogi State.