>
Mohammed Audu, first son of former governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, was on Thursday arraigned before Magistrate Court II, Lokoja, on grounds of criminal conspiracy, causing grievous harm, mischief, armed robbery and attempt to commit culpable homicide.
The prosecutor, Gabriel Otuwo, said on September 2, at around noon, Mohammed’s uncle, Yahaya Audu, reported to SARS office in Lokoja 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.
Otuwo told the court: “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. He fell. When they attempted to carry him, he escaped into a nearby bush.
“The gang vandalised his hummer jeep and made away with his Samsung Note 3. Ibrahim Abubakar and Yahaya Audu sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to Specialist Hospital, Lokoja.”
Otuwo said the late Audu’s brother complained to the police that prior to his attack, the former governor’s son, Mohammed, promised to deal with him, calling him a traitor for collecting an award on behalf of his late father and fingered him (Mohammed) as the mastermind of the attack.”
Reacting however, the Audu/Faleke Political Organisation condemned Mohammed’s arrest and detention.
In a statement by the organisation’s spokesman, Duro Meseko, the group said it was the height of provocation and executive rascality for the state government to instigate the arrest of Audu’s son by turning a pure family issue to a big political matter.
He said it was inexplicable that Mohammed, who was attending a session of Sharia Court with other Audu siblings on a family matter, would also be present in his home town of Ogbonicha, same day the alleged incident where the former governor’s younger brother, Yahaya, was alleged to have been attacked occurred.
The statement added: “We make bold to say that no amount of arrest and intimidation can stop our resolve to retrieve our mandate freely given by the good people of Kogi State from a stranger, who worked against our party during the election. “We advise police to do their proper homework before arresting people on trumped up charges.”
Chief Magistrate Alhassan Husaini granted the accused bail in sum of N100,000 and a surety in like sum. The case was adjourned to September 29 for further mentioning.
Mohammed Audu immediately perfected the bail condition and was seen driving out of the court premises in his Prado SUV.