Kehinde Fajobi
Justice Mojisola Dada of the Ikeja Special Offences Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Ahmed Lawal Kuru, former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), after he failed to appear for his arraignment over a ₦76 billion fraud case.
The order, issued on Tuesday, followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor, Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN).
Kuru, the second defendant, was absent when the court was set to arraign him alongside others on a six-count charge involving false statements, fraudulent conversion, abuse of office, stealing, and dishonest property conversion.
The other defendants include Kamilu Alaba Omokide (first defendant), Capt Roy Ilegbodu (third defendant), Union Bank of Nigeria Plc (fourth defendant), and Super Bravo Limited (fifth defendant).
While counsels for the other defendants appeared, Kuru’s counsel, Mr I.B. Amefula, initially informed the court that the lead counsel, Olasupo Shasore (SAN), was en route with Kuru.
However, when the matter resumed after a brief adjournment, Amefula admitted that Shasore was out of the country and unaware of the arraignment.
Justice Dada refused Amefula’s plea to revoke the warrant, stating it would only be withdrawn if Kuru appeared at the next hearing.
The judge adjourned the case to January 20, 2025.
The EFCC accused Kuru and others of several fraudulent activities.
In one instance, Union Bank allegedly made false statements to AMCON in 2011, leading to the unwarranted sale of Arik Air loans and guarantees, with ₦71 billion transferred to the corporation.
In another claim, Kuru, Omokide, and Ilegbodu allegedly diverted ₦4.9 billion from Arik Air to NG Eagle Limited in 2022. Additionally, Ilegbodu is accused of stealing ₦22.5 million in May by converting funds belonging to Arik Air.
The defendants are also accused of abusing their authority as public officers by incorporating NG Eagle Limited in 2019 for personal gain.
Furthermore, in 2022, they allegedly authorised the destruction of a Boeing 737 aircraft valued at $31.5 million, undermining Nigeria’s economic stability.
On November 29, 2023, Kuru, Omokide, and Super Bravo Limited were also accused of dishonestly converting three Boeing aircraft belonging to Arik Air for their use.
The EFCC argued these actions contravened several sections of Lagos State’s criminal laws, including provisions on abuse of office, stealing, and property conversion.