Kehinde Fajobi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru, and current Managing Director of Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, alongside others, for alleged theft and abuse of office involving Arik Air properties.
The arraignment, scheduled for today before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, also includes the Receiver Manager of Arik Air, Kamilu Omokide, Union Bank Plc, and Super Bravo Limited.
The charges stem from a petition filed by Femi Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on behalf of Arik Air’s founder, Johnson Arumemi, and the airline’s shareholders.
Union Bank faces accusations of making false statements to the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and public officers.
These alleged falsehoods led to the unwarranted sale of Arik Air’s loans and bank guarantees, with a purported transfer of ₦71 billion to AMCON.
The EFCC states that this offence contravenes Section 96 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Ahmed Kuru, Kamilu Omokide, and Captain Roy Ilegbodu are accused of converting ₦4.9 billion to NG Eagle Limited in 2022.
Captain Ilegbodu is also charged with stealing ₦22.5 million in May 2024, allegedly converting the funds to the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed.
In one of the charges, Kuru and Omokide are accused of incorporating NG Eagle Limited in July 2019 to benefit themselves and their associates, allegedly abusing their public offices.
Another charge alleges that in February 2022, the trio authorised the teardown of an aircraft valued at $31.5 million, an act the EFCC claims undermines Nigeria’s economic stability and Arik Air’s viability.
In the final count, the defendants, including Super Bravo Limited, are accused of dishonestly converting three Boeing aircraft belonging to Arik Air in November 2023.
The EFCC says these offences violate various sections of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, including provisions against stealing and abuse of office.
Investigations are ongoing, and the arraignment is expected to provide more details on the allegations.