Ex-AMCON Boss Kuru Faces Arrest Amidst Multi-Billion Naira Fraud Charges
Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos Special Offences Court in Ikeja has ordered the arrest of the former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Lawal Kuru, due to his absence from the court for his arraignment related to an alleged N76 billion fraud.
The court had scheduled Kuru’s arraignment for yesterday, alongside Arik Air’s Managing Director, Captain Roy Ilegbodu; the receiver manager of Arik, Kamilu Omokide; Union Bank Plc; and Super Bravo Limited, all facing allegations of N76 billion and $31.5 million fraud.
During the resumed proceedings, prosecution counsel Wahab Shittu (SAN), along with the defence counsels, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) for the first and third defendants, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) for the fourth defendant, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for the fifth defendant, and I.B. Amefula holding brief for the second defendant, Olasupo Sashore (SAN) were present.
Due to Kuru’s absence, Shittu requested that the court issue a warrant for his arrest.
Shittu noted that Kuru had repeatedly violated administrative bail granted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Dada granted the prosecution’s request and issued a warrant for Kuru’s arrest.
She indicated that if he appears at the next adjourned date, she would consider revoking the order.
The EFCC has filed six charges against the defendants, alleging theft of property belonging to Arik Air and abuse of office.
One of the charges claims that Union Bank made a false statement to a public officer to induce an unwarranted sale of Arik Air loans and bank guarantees, resulting in a fraudulent transfer of N71 billion to AMCON.
The anti-graft commission stated that these offences are contrary to and punishable under Section 96 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015, as well as Sections 73 and 278(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
Additionally, the EFCC alleged that Kuru, Kamilu Alaba Omokide (Receiver Manager of Arik Air Limited), and Captain Roy Ilegbodu (Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air Limited in receivership) stole and fraudulently converted a total of N4.9 million to their use for NG Eagle Limited around 2022.
Furthermore, Ilegbodu is accused of stealing N22.5 million in May 2024 by fraudulently converting the funds to the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed, property of Arik Air Limited.
Kuru and Omokide were accused of abusing their public officer authority on July 11, 2019, by incorporating a company called NG Eagle Limited for the purpose of obtaining undue advantages for themselves and their associates.
The charges also indicate that on February 12, 2022, Kamilu Alaba Omokide, Ahmed Lawal Kuru, and Captain Roy Ilegbodu, while acting as public officers, engaged in the arbitrary act of authorizing the teardown and destruction of an aircraft (5N-JEA with Serial No. 15058), valued at $31.5 million, which was prejudicial to the economic stability of Nigeria and Arik Air Limited.
