The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned five individuals, including the former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru, for allegedly defrauding Arik Air of N76 billion and $31.5 million.
The other defendants in the case are the former Receiver Manager of Arik Air, Kamilu Omokide; Arik Air CEO, Captain Roy Ilegbodu; and Super Bravo Ltd. The accused individuals face six counts of theft, abuse of office, and stealing by dishonestly taking property. All defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
It is noteworthy that Kuru voluntarily appeared in court to respond to the charges brought against him by the EFCC.
During the proceedings, Kuru and Ilegbodu’s defense counsel, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), filed bail applications dated November 28 and 29, 2024. Osipitan argued that the defendants had no prior criminal records and had adhered to the terms of their previous administrative bail, requesting that they be granted bail under similar liberal conditions. He further stressed that there were no indications that they intended to flee.
However, EFCC Counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), filed counter-affidavits on December 2 and 22, 2024, opposing the bail applications. Shittu contended that the charges against the defendants were serious and involved significant economic sabotage, which heightened the risk of flight. He suggested the seizure of their international passports and called for an expedited trial.
The defense for Omokide, Olasupo Shasore (SAN), filed a motion on December 6, 2024, requesting bail on self-recognition. Shasore highlighted that Omokide had previously been granted administrative bail and had complied with the conditions.
Shittu, however, opposed Omokide’s bail application, citing his prior failure to attend court, which had led to the issuance of a bench warrant.
After considering the arguments, Justice Mojisola Dada granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N20 million each, with one surety per defendant in like sum. The sureties must be gainfully employed and provide proof of identification. The defendants were ordered to surrender their international passports.
The case was adjourned until March 17, 2025, for the commencement of the trial.
The EFCC accused Kuru, Omokide, and Ilegbodu of fraudulently converting N4.9 billion for the benefit of NG Eagle Ltd in 2022. Additionally, Ilegbodu is charged with stealing N22.5 million and converting it to the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed, a property of Arik Air Ltd. The defendants are also accused of authorizing the destruction of an aircraft valued at $31.5 million, a move that allegedly harmed Nigeria’s economic stability and the interests of Arik Air.
The charges against the defendants violate various sections of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, including Sections 73, 96, 278(1), and 278(6).
