18th July, 2013
Nnamdi Felix / Abuja
Trial of Mr. Mustapha Audu, son of a former Kogi State Governor, Prince Abubakar Audu and his wife Zahrah, over an alleged a N18 million fraud resumed Thursday before an Abuja High Court.
Mustapha was docked by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, alongside his wife and their company, Constructor Guild Ltd.
They were alleged to have collected N18 million from one Nike Kolawole to acquire a four-bedroom apartment for her at Ruskin Terrace, Katamkpe Extension, Abuja, but failed to do so.
A prosecution witness, Mr Abdul Ibrahim, led in evidence by the EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Samuel Ugwuegulam, told the court that the matter was reported by one Mrs Nike Kolawole.
Ibrahim further stated that the former governor’s son obtained the money under false pretext and the complainant paid N3 million as commitment fee.
He also testified that Mrs Kolawole paid the first installment of N10 million for the 4-bedroom apartment and another N5 million installment.
According to the witness, during investigation, he discovered during that Mustapha took Mrs. Kolawole to an empty plot of land in Idu-Sabo village, Abuja, where they claimed to have proposed a mass housing estate.
He also told the court that Mustapha made five different statements in the course of interrogation at EFCC’s office and the prosecutor applied for the statements to be tendered in evidence.
Mustapha’s lawyer, Mr. Okechukwu Ajunwa, did not oppose the application and the presiding judge, Justice Sadiq Umar, thereafter admitted the statements of the accused dated May 14, 16, 31, 14 and June 12, 2013 as exhibits.
Ajunwa however prayed the court to issue an order directing the EFCC to release the accused’s passport to enable him travel for medication out the country. The court had earlier granted the former governor’s son and his wife bail.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to 28th October, for continuation of cross examination.
Mustapha and his wife, Zahra were arraigned by the EFCC on a three-count charge of alleged conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence and fraud.