Ex-AMCON MD, Kuru, on the run over alleged Arik N76bn fraud, court issues bench warrant

Also involved in the case as defendants are Kamilu Omokide, the former Receiver Manager of Arik Airline Ltd; Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Union Bank Ltd. and Super Bravo Ltd.

Arraignment of the defendants could not go on Tuesday because of the absence of Kuru, leading to Justice Mojisola Dada issuing the bench warrant against him.The judge said the bench warrant would be revoked at the next adjourned date on January 20, 2025 if he appears in court.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has charged the defendants with theft, abuse of office, making false statements to public officer and stealing by dishonestly taking the property of another.

Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN, the EFCC counsel, prayed the court to issue warrant of arrest against the second defendant due to the absence.

He submitted that the defendants could not longer be arraigned due to Kuru’s absence, saying the suspect had jumped administrative bail on several occasions.

“My lord, the second defendant jumped administrative and blocked his contacts. In view of his attitude, 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.

“Someone who is the former MD of AMCON is not supposed to behave that way.”

The defence counsels include Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) appeared for the first and third defendant; Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN) for the fourth defendant; Mr Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for the fifth defendant while Mr I.B. Amefula appeared for the second defendant holden brief of Mr Olasupo Sashore (SAN).

Following the development, the Lead Counsel to Omokide (first defendant) and Ilegbodu (third defendant), Prof Osipitan (SAN) prayed the court to allow his clients continue to enjoy  the administrative bail already granted them by EFCC.

The defendants are facing charges, bordering on abuse of office and stealing property belonging to Arik Airline contrary to the provisions of Sections 73, 96, 278(1) and 278(6)  of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.

According to the EFCC, sometime in 2011, Union Bank Nigeria with the intention of causing and/or inducing unwarranted sale of Arik Air loans and bank guarantees, made false statements to the AMCON, with regard to the performing loan of Arik Air Ltd, and later transferred the sum of N71 billion to AMCON.The anti-graft agency also alleged that Kuru, Omokide and Ilegbodu sometime in 2022, fraudulently converted to the use of NG Eagle Ltd the total sum of N4,9 billion.

Furthermore, the EFCC also alleged that the CEO of Arik stole the sum of N22.5 million by fraudulently converting the same to the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed.

It added that the defendants obtained undue advantage for themselves and intentionally authorised the tear down and destruction of 5N-JEA with Serial No. 15058 valued at 31.5 million dollars , an arbitrary act, which was prejudicial to the economic stability of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Arik Air Limited.