Justice Mojisola Dada of a Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Tuesday ordered arrest of the former managing director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Lawal Kuru, over his absence in court for arraignment.
He was to be arraigned over alleged N76 billion fraud.
The court had scheduled Tuesday for Kuru’s arraignment along with the managing director of Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, the receiver manager of Arik, Kamilu Omokide, the Union Bank Plc and a company, Super Bravo Limited for alleged N76 billion and $31.5millon fraud.
The defendants in the suit are: Kamilu Alaba Omokide, Ahmed Lawal Kuru, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and Super Bravo Limited as first to fifth defendants respectively.
At the resumed proceeding, the prosecution counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN) and defendants counsel, Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) for the first and third defendant, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) for the fourth defendant, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for the 5th defendant and I.B. Amefula appeared for the second defendant, holden brief for Olasupo Sashore (SAN).
Due to the absence of the second defendant, Shittu prayed the court to issue warrant of arrest against the second defendant.
Shittu submitted that the prosecution will not be able to go on with the arraignment of the defendants due to second defendant’s absence.
He said, the former MD of AMCON had jumped administrative bail granted by EFCC on several occasions.
“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 granted prosecution counsel’s prayers and issued warrant of arrest against the second defendant. The judge said, when he presents himself on the next adjourned date, she will revoke the order.