Former Governor of Kogi State Abubakar Audu has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with alleged misappropriation of the sum of N4 billion public funds.

In a statement signed by Wilson Uwajuren, EFCC Acting Head of Media and Publicity yesterday, the action was as a result of the inability of the embattled ex-governor to respond to invitations sent to him.

The statement further explains that previous attempts to arrest Audu at his 32 Sulaiman Barau Street residence in the highbrow Asokoro District of Abuja failed as “he allegedly evaded arrest”.

The EFCC had further implored anybody “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”.

The EFCC had alleged that Audu mismanaged the funds during his tenure as governor between 1999 and 2003.

But the ex governor, who was to be charged with conspiracy, stealing and misappropriation of public funds, appealed the allegations. The Supreme Court in November dismissed the appeal paving way for the commencement of trial.

Audu had earlier denied evading arrest, saying he had been abroad receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment. His lawyer Mike Ozhekome (SAN) was reported to have indicated the readiness of his client to face trial.