The senator representing Kogi-West, Mr. Dino Melaye, on Wednesday, said the deceased candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Kogi State 2015 governorship election, Prince Abubakar Audu, was innocent of the allegation of misappropriation of public funds levelled against him.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on March 18, 2013 arraigned Audu, who was a governor of the state, before an Abuja High Court on 36 counts bordering on criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N10, 965,837,040.



Melaye, who spoke during a late show on the African Independent Television monitored by our correspondent, also described the allegations as a witch-hunt.

He said, “How can a man who received N17bn in less than four years steal N11bn? This was a man who paid pensioners, did not owe workers and carried out a big infrastructural development in the state. What has the EFCC been investigating since 2003? It is all politics. Audu never stole Kogi’s money. This was a man who built Kogi State University, Kogi State Polytechnic, Obajana Cement Factory and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dangote Cement. Audu built all the institutions that exist in the state today.”

Asked his opinion on the rumour that Audu was poisoned, Melaye said he would not say what he did not know.

Melaye added, ‘‘I cannot say he was poisoned. I will not say what I do not know. God is the only one who sees everything. I can only weep. For him, it was the end of a cycle.’’

According to him, the majority of politicians in Kogi are too elitist.

He said, “Audu was the only politician who was down to earth in Kogi State. I was his closest political associate. He loved his people. He was a friend of the downtrodden. It will be difficult for any other governor to connect with the people like Audu did. A man who was ready to listen to bean cake sellers and cobblers was a man to be taken seriously.’’

Source www.punchng.com/audu-didnt-steal-kogis-n11b-melaye/

malaye is a thief. someone who escorts thiefs (sarakis) to court. The white men says, "show me your friends and I will tell you who you are". Even the APC chairman of Kogi said it and it read it in one of the dailies that kogites should vote Audu and he shall then return d stollen money! Hilarious I will say. ME personally supported Audu y? because he STEALS AND WORK. His projects are the only visible infrastructures in Kogi till date. Malaye should stop confusing himself after useless allegations on TSA now ds? smh

Who is he trying to impress?

Endtime liar

Just like u Dino u have never collect bribe before abi!

am not surprised...... Cuz thief back thieves up

A man who was ready to listen to bean cake sellers and cobblers was a man to be taken seriously.

Politicians are gods in nigeria. Disease of the mind.

Devil control politicians MIND

Birds of identical plumage flock together. This is no surprise, after all, our Mr.Integrity, Mr. Anti-corruption, the Emperor, the new Sherriff in Town once said Abacha was not corrupt. Are there no leaders with ideology and conscience in Nigeria again? Oh Heaven help us.

Not holding brief for the late Audu.. But no way on earth would he be able to steal 11billion... As at 2000, Lagos state Total budget was 47billion(Thats including allocation from federal govt, IGR etc)...It's impossible for Kogi to have a budget of 10billion in d year 2000...Let's assume it's even 10billion... in Four year he got 40billion approximately...He was alleged to have stole 11billion...We are den left with 29billion... According to report he never owed civil servant. pensioners, He built d Kogi state University, kogi state Polytechnic, 1500 housing unit, establishment of kogi state Television and radio station, rehabilitation of d govt house, construction of office block. an ultra modern stadium, a five star hotel, 50 water project, 75 rural electrification scheme, he built road network, he serviced debt etc.....

How is all this possible with 29billion including paying salaries as well as pensions...

It's natural, A thief would always defend his fellow thief

Y is this man forcing himself on Nigerians? Must you open that dirty mouth of yours?