The former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Ahmed Kuru, was absent from court on Monday, where he was set to face a six-count charge of alleged theft of property belonging to Arik Air and abuse of office.
Kuru, along with Arik Air’s current MD Captain Roy Ilegbodu, receiver manager Kamilu Omokide, Union Bank PLC, and the company Super Bravo Limited, were to be arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The complaint was filed by the founder of Arik, Johnson Arumemi, and the airline’s shareholders, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana.
The charges include Union Bank allegedly making false statements to a public officer to induce the unwarranted sale of Arik Air loans and guarantees, leading to the transfer of a bogus N71 billion to AMCON, contrary to Section 96 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In another charge, Kuru, Omokide, and Ilegbodu are accused of stealing N4.9 billion from Arik Air in 2022, and converting it to the benefit of NG Eagle Limited. This offense is punishable under Section 278(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Additionally, Ilegbodu faces accusations of stealing N22.5 million from Arik Air, allegedly converting it to the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed in May 2024.
In the final charge, Kuru, Omokide, and Super Bravo Limited are accused of converting three Boeing aircraft, valued at millions, which were property of Arik Air, to the benefit of Super Bravo Limited on November 29, 2023.
Justice Dada has issued a bench warrant for Kuru’s arrest following his failure to appear at the trial.
