Justice Mojisola Dada of a Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has ordered arrest of the former Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Lawal Kuru for his absence in court for his arraignment over alleged N76 billion fraud.
The court had scheduled today for Kuru’s arraignment alongside the Managing Director of Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, the Receiver Manager of Arik, Kamilu Omokide, the Union Bank Plc and a limited company, Super Bravo Limited listed as second to fifth defendants in alleged N76 billion and $31.5millon fraud charges.
At the resumed proceeding, Wahab Shittu (SAN) appeared for prosecution, while Professor Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) appeared for the first and third defendant, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) for the fourth defendant, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for the fifth defendant and I.B. Amefula appeared for the second defendant holden brief of Olasupo Sashore (SAN).
However, due to the absence of the second defendant, (Kuru) Shittu (SAN) prayed the court to issue warrant of arrest against the second defendant.
The prosecutor submitted that the prosecution will not be able to go on with the arraignment of the defendants due to second defendant absence.
He said, The former MD of AMCON had jumped administrative bail granted by EFCC on several occasions.
He said: “in view of the attitude of the second defendant, we urge the court to issue Bench Warrant.
“My lord, all the defendants in this case were served but they got to the residence of the second defendant, the man had disappeared. He had blocked his contact.
“Someone who is the former MD of AMCON is not supposed to behave that way.”
Justice Dada, after listened to the prosecutor’s submission, acceded to his request and issued warrant of arrest against the second defendant (Kuru). The judge also said, when he present on the next adjourned date, she will revoke the order.
The EFCC had filed six counts charge against the defendants, accusing them of alleged stealing property belonging to Arik Air and abuse of office.
Part of the charge stated that, Union Bank made a false statement to a public officer with the intention of causing and/or inducing unwarranted sale of Arik Air loans and bank guarantees with Union Bank, making false statements to the Assets Management Cooperation of Nigeria (AMCON) regarding Arik Air Limited’s performing loans following which it transferred a bogus figure of N71, 000, 000,000.00 (Seventy One Billion Naira) to AMCON.
The anti graft Commission said their offences are contrary to and punishable under Section 96 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
EFCC also said that the act of the defendants is contrary to Section 73 and 278(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
EFCC further alleged that the defendants: Kuru, Kamilu Alaba Omokide as Receiver Manager of Arik Air Limited and Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air Limited in receivership, sometimes in 2022 or thereabout, were stolen and fraudulently converted to the use of NG Eagle Limited the total sum of N4, 900, 000. 00.
The MD/CEO of Arik Air Limited in receivership, in May, 2024 or thereabout, did steal the sum of N22,500,000.00 by fraudulently converting same to the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed property of Arik Air Limited.
Kuru and Omokide were also alleged of being public officers on July 11, 2019 or thereabout in Lagos, within the directed to be done in abuse of the authority of their offices an arbitrary act, to wit: intentionally and in violation of the discharge of their functions incorporated a Company called NG Eagle Limited, RC Number 1600277 for the purpose of obtaining undue advantage for themselves and or cronies.
Parts of the charge read that, “Kamilu Alaba Omokide, Ahmed Lawal Kuru and Captain Roy Ilegbodu on February 12, 2022 or thereabout, in Lagos, being public officers directed to be done in abuse of the authority of your office and with intention of obtaining undue advantage for yourself and cronies an arbitrary act, to wit: intentionally authorizing the tear down and destruction of 5N-JEA with Serial No. 15058 valued at $31.5 million an arbitrary act, which act is prejudicial to the economic stability of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Arik Air Limited.”
