The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja issued a bench warrant on Tuesday against Ahmed Kuru, former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, for alleged fraud of N76 billion and $31.5 million.
Justice Mojisola Dada ordered Kuru’s arrest after he failed to appear in court for his Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraignment.
Kuru, the Managing Director of Arik Air; Captain Roy Ilegbodu, the receiver manager of Arik; Kamilu Omokide, Union Bank Plc; and a firm, Super Bravo Limited, were due to be arraigned in court on Tuesday for alleged N76 billion and $31.5 million fraud.
They are charged with six counts of making a false statement, fraudulent conversion, abuse of office, theft, and dishonest conversion of property.
According to the EFCC, the acts committed violated Section 96 of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2015, as well as Sections 278 (1) (b) and 278 (6) of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2011.
However, the arraignment could not proceed due to the absence of Kuru and his lead counsel, Olasupo Shasore (SAN).
When the case was called, the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN), announced his presence, while Prof. Taiwo Osiptan (SAN) represented the first defendant (Kamilu Omokide) and the third defendant (Captain Roy Ilegbodu).
Olalekan Ojo (SAN) declared his appearance for the fourth defendant (Union Bank of Nigeria Plc), while Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) arrived for the fifth defendant (Super Bravo Limited).
However, the second defendant, Ahmed Kuru, was not present in court and was not represented. The judge then issued a bench warrant for Kuru.
However, as the judge prepared to adjourn the case, she learnt that former MD of AMCON was on his way to court. So, she put the case aside for a while.
When the court reconvened, Kuru was still absent, but I.B. Amefula, Kuru’s lawyer, announced his attendance.
Shittu, dissatisfied with the development, petitioned the court to issue a warrant for Kuru’s arrest.
“The former MD of AMCON had jumped administrative bail granted by the EFCC on several occasions.
“In view of the attitude of the second defendant, we urge the court to issue a bench warrant.
“My Lord, all the defendants in this case were served, but they got to the residence of the second defendant, the man, and he had disappeared. He had blocked his contact.
“Someone who is a former MD of AMCON is not supposed to behave that way,” Shittu argued.
Justice Dada granted Shittu’s request and issued a bench warrant for Kuru.
The judge dismissed Amefula’s request to lift the bench warrant.
“I will retain the order until the next adjourned date. When he is here on the next adjourned date, I will revoke the order,” the judge said and adjourned till January 20, 2025, for the arraignment.
