An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday issued a bench warrant against the former Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, Ahmed Lawal Kuru, for failing to appear before the court for his arraignment over N76 billion fraud.

Justice Mojisola Dada ordered the arrest of Kuru following his absence from court. Kuru alongside, Kamilu Alaba Omokide, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and Super Bravo limited are facing six counts bordering on making a false statement, fraudulent conversion, abuse of office, stealing and dishonest conversion of property preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

EFCC alleged that sometime in 2011, Union Bank Nigeria Plc, with the intention of causing and/or inducing unwarranted sale of Arik Air loans and bank guarantees Union Bank, made false statements to the Assets Management Cooperation of Nigeria regarding Arik Air Limited’s performing loans and later transferred the sum of N71 billion to AMCON.

The commission also alleged that Kuru, Omokide who is the receiver manager of Arik Air Limited and the
Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air Limited in Receivership, Captain Ilegbodu , sometime in 2022, allegedly stole and fraudulently converted to their use of NG Eagle Limited the total sum of N4,9 billion.

EFCC said that Ilegbodu as MD/CEO of Arik Air Ltd in receivership, in May, 2024, did stole the sum of N22,500,000m, by fraudulently converting same to the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed property of Arik Air Ltd.

The Anti-graft agency alleged that on July 11, 2019, the former Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, Kuru and Omokide as receiver and manager of Arik Air while being public officers, abused their office authority, intentionally and in violation of the discharge of their functions directed to be incorporated a Company called NG Eagle Limited, RC Number 1600277 for the purpose of obtaining undue advantage for themselves and or cronies.

Omokide, Kuru and Ilegbodu were alleged to have on February 12, 2022, and obtained undue advantage for themselves and cronies and  intentionally authorized the tear down and destruction of 5N-JEA with Serial No. 15058 valued at $31.5m, an arbitrary act, which is prejudicial to the economic stability of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Arik Air Limited.

EFCC said that on November 29, 2023, Omokide, Kuru and Super Bravo limited dishonestly converted to the use of Super Bravo Limited three (3) Boeing aircrafts known as Manufacturer Serial Number 33944 Registration Number 5N MJG, Manufacturer Serial Number 35638 Registration Number 5N MJN and Manufacturer Serial Number 34761Registration Number 5N MJE property of Arik Air Limited.

According to EFCC, the offences committed contravened Sections 96, of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015, section 278 (1)(a) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011, 278 (1) (b), 278(6), of the same law.

Sections 73 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015 and 278 (1) (a) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011.

However the arraignment of the defendants that was scheduled for Tuesday couldn’t go on due to the absence of Kuru and his lead counsel Olasupo Shasore SAN.

Earlier when the case was called the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel Dr Wahab Shittu announced his appearance while, Taiwo Osipitan SAN, appeared for the first defendant (Kamilu Omokide ) and the third defendant ( Captain Roy Ilegbodu).

Olalekan Ojo SAN announced an appearance for the fourth defendant (Union Bank of Nigeria Plc), while Tayo Oyetibo SAN appeared for the fifth defendant ( Super Bravo limited).

Mr I. B. Amefula who appeared for the second defendant, told the court that the lead counsel Shasore was out of the country and that the learned silk was not aware of the arraignment.

Amefula prayed the court to revoke the bench warrant but the court said it would be revoked if the second defendant makes himself available at the next date of adjournment

The judge adjourned the case until Jan. 20, 2025 for arraignment.

Dear readers, we really need your support to keep on serving you with authoritative, truthful, and juicy stories everyday. For your support, please reach out to the editor @gavelinternational66@gmail.com