By Okeke Eunice
On Tuesday, the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Ahmed Kuru, the former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), over allegations of fraud involving ₦76 billion and $31.5 million.
Justice Mojisola Dada ordered Kuru’s arrest after he failed to appear in court for his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The court had planned to arraign Kuru, along with Arik Air’s Managing Director, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, receiver manager Kamilu Omokide, Union Bank Plc, and Super Bravo Limited. They face six charges, including making false statements, fraudulent conversion, abuse of office, theft, and dishonest property conversion.
The EFCC stated that the alleged offences violated Section 96 of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 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 because Ahmed Kuru and his lead counsel, Olasupo Shasore (SAN), were absent.
When the case was called, the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN), was present, while Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) represented the first defendant, Kamilu Omokide, and the third defendant, Captain Roy Ilegbodu.
Olalekan Ojo (SAN) represented the fourth defendant, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, while Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) appeared for the fifth defendant, Super Bravo Limited.
However, the second defendant, Ahmed Kuru, was neither present in court nor represented by counsel.
As a result, the court issued a bench warrant for Kuru’s arrest.
As the judge prepared to adjourn the case, she was informed that Ahmed Kuru was on his way to court, prompting her to put the proceedings on hold temporarily.
When the court reconvened, Kuru was still absent. However, a lawyer, I.B. Amefula, appeared and announced representation on Kuru’s behalf.
This development displeased the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN), who urged the court to issue an arrest warrant for Kuru, stating that the former AMCON MD had repeatedly violated the administrative bail granted by the EFCC.
“Given the behavior of the second defendant, we request that the court issue a bench warrant,” Shittu said.
He continued, “My Lord, all the defendants were served, but when officials arrived at the residence of the second defendant, he had disappeared and blocked all contact. A former MD of AMCON should not behave this way.”
Justice Dada agreed with Shittu’s request and issued a bench warrant for Kuru’s arrest.
Amefula’s request for the judge to lift the bench warrant was denied.
The judge responded, “I will uphold the order until the next adjourned date. If he appears then, I will revoke the order,” before adjourning the case to January 20, 2025, for the arraignment.