An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday issued a bench warrant for a former Managing Director of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, Ahmed Kuru, in the alleged Arik Airline N76 billion and $31.5 million  fraud.

Other defendants are former Receiver Manager of Arik Airline Ltd, Kamilu Omokide, Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Union Bank and Super Bravo Ltd.

Justice Mojisola Dada issued the bench against Mr Kuru after the arraignment was stalled due to his absence.

Ms Dada said that she would revoke the bench warrant at the next adjourned date if the second defendant is present in court.

The judge adjourned the case until January 20 2025 for arraignment.

The five defendants were charged with theft, abuse of office, making false statements to a public officer and stealing by dishonestly taking the property of another, preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

When the case was called, Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN) appeared for the prosecution.

Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) appeared for the first and third defendant, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) for the fourth defendant,  Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for the fifth defendant while I.B. Amefula appeared for the second defendant holding a brief for Olasupo Sashore (SAN).

EFCC Counsel, Mr Shittu prayed the court to issue a warrant of arrest against the second defendant due to the absence.

Mr Shittu submitted that the prosecution could no longer arraign the defendants because Mr Kuru was not in court.

According to him, the former MD of AMCON jumped administrative bail on several occasions.

He said, “My lord, the second defendant jumped administrative bail and blocked his contacts. In view of his attitude, 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 had disappeared. Someone who is a former MD of AMCON is not supposed to behave that way.”

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

The EFCC alleged the defendants of abuse of office and stealing property belonging to Arik Airline.

The anti-graft agency alleged that 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 Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria regarding Arik Air Ltd’s performing loans and later transferred the sum of N71 billion to AMCON.

The commission also alleged that Kuru, Omokide and Ilegbodu sometime in 2022, fraudulently converted to their use of NG Eagle Ltd the total sum of N4,9 billion.

The anti-graft agency also alleged the CEO of Arik stole the sum of N22.5 million by fraudulently converting the same to the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed, property of Arik Air Ltd.

The EFCC also alleged the defendants obtained undue advantage for themselves and intentionally authorized 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.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene Sections 73, 96, 278(1) and 278(6) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.

 (NAN)