The
eldest son of a former governor of Kogi State, the late Abubakar Mohammed Audu,
was yesterday charged with armed robbery.
Mohammed
Audu,whose father died on the eve of announcement of the gubernatorial election
result last year was arrested on Wednesday night when he honoured the
invitation of the men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad at the “A” Division
Office of the Nigeria Police Force in Lokoja and he was subsequently detained.
The
police charged him to a magistrate court in Lokoja
Apart
from armed robbery, other charges in the First Information Report filed by the
police against Mohammed were criminal conspiracy, causing mischief and grievous
hurt as well as attempted culpable homicide, all contrary to sections 97 (1),
248, 327, 298 and 229 of the Penal Code.
In
the said FIR, Mohammed’s uncle, Alhaji Yahaya Audu, who was the complainant in
the case, alleged that he was attacked by some hoodlums in his home at
Ogbonicha on August 30.
Yahaya
said it was by sheer miracle that he escaped from his assailants, who, he said,
were shooting sporadically during the attack.
The
police prosecutor, Mr. Otowu Gabriel, told the court that though investigation
into the matter was still ongoing, findings by the police linked Mohammed and
others still at large with Yahaya’s attack.
The
lead defence counsel, Mr. Okechukwu Ajunwa, however, contended that there was
nothing in the charge that linked his client to the attack.
Ajuwa
urged the court to admit his client to bail in line with the provision of
Section 36 (5) of the constitution, and in view of the fact that the police
were still investigating the case.
He
assured the court that his client would neither abscond nor interfere with
police investigation if granted bail.
He
said his client was a prominent member of the society, who had no reason to
abscond, pointing out that Mohammed was not arrested but he voluntarily went to
the police station to honour their invitation.
In
his response, the prosecutor said he did not wish to oppose the bail
application but would allow the court to use its discretion.
After
listening to the parties, the Chief Magistrate, Alhassan Hussain, admitted
Mohammed to bail, with a directive that he must make himself available for
every court session.
The
court adjourned till September 29, 2016 for further proceedings in the matter.
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