Justice Mojisola Dada of a Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has ordered the arrest of the former Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Lawal Kuru, for his absence in court for his arraignment over alleged N76 billion fraud.

The court had scheduled Tuesday for Kuru’s arraignment along with the Managing Director of Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, the receiver manager of Arik, Kamilu Omokide, Union Bank Plc, and a company, Super Bravo Limited, for alleged N76 billion and $31.5 million fraud.

The defendants in the suit are Kamilu Alaba Omokide, Ahmed Lawal Kuru, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, and Super Bravo Limited, as the first to fifth defendants, respectively.

At the resumed proceeding, the prosecution counsel, Wahab Shittu (SAN), and the defendants’ counsel, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) for the first and third defendants, Olalekan Ojo (SAN) for the fourth defendant, Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for the fifth defendant, and I.B. Amefula, who appeared for the second defendant in place of Olasupo Sashore (SAN), were present.

Due to the absence of the second defendant (Kuru), Shittu prayed the court to issue a warrant of arrest against the second defendant.

Shittu submitted that the prosecution would not be able to proceed with the arraignment of the defendants due to the second defendant’s absence.

He said, “The former MD of AMCON has jumped administrative bail granted by 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 when they got to the residence of the second defendant, the man had disappeared. He had blocked his contact.

“Someone who is the former MD of AMCON is not supposed to behave that way.”

Justice Dada, however, granted the prosecution counsel’s prayer and issued a warrant of arrest against the second defendant (Kuru). The judge said that if he presented himself on the next adjourned date, the order would be revoked.

The EFCC had filed six charges against the defendants, alleging they stole property belonging to Arik Air and abused their office.

Part of the charge stated that Union Bank made a false statement to a public officer with the intention of causing and/or inducing the unwarranted sale of Arik Air loans and bank guarantees with Union Bank, making false statements to the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) regarding Arik Air Limited’s performing loans, following which it transferred a bogus figure of N71 billion to AMCON.

The anti-graft commission said their offense was contrary to and punishable under Section 96 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The EFCC also alleged that the defendants—Kuru, Omokide, as Receiver Manager of Arik Air Limited, and Captain Ilegbodu, Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air Limited in receivership—stole and fraudulently converted to the use of NG Eagle Limited the total sum of N4,900,000 sometime in 2022.

The MD/CEO of Arik Air Limited in receivership, in May 2024, or thereabouts, did steal the sum of N22,500,000 by fraudulently converting the same to the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed, property of Arik Air Limited.

Kuru and Omokide were alleged to have been public officers on July 11, 2019, or thereabouts, in Lagos, within the directed to be done in abuse of the authority of their offices an arbitrary act, to wit: intentionally and in violation of the discharge of their functions incorporated a company called NG Eagle Limited, RC Number 1600277, for the purpose of obtaining undue advantage for themselves and/or cronies.

Parts of the charge read that “Kamilu Alaba Omokide, Ahmed Lawal Kuru, and Captain Roy Ilegbodu, on February 12, 2022, or thereabouts, in Lagos, being public officers directed to be done in abuse of the authority of your office and with the intention of obtaining undue advantage for yourself and cronies, an arbitrary act, to wit: intentionally authorizing the teardown and destruction of 5N-JEA with Serial No. 15058 valued at $31.5 million, an arbitrary act, which act is prejudicial to the economic stability of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Arik Air Limited.”

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has denied any involvement of its chairman, Tony Elumelu, in the Nigerian police arrest of the human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

SaharaReporters reported earlier that Farotimi was arrested by the Nigerian police at Zone 2 in Lagos following an alleged petition filed by Tony Elumelu, the chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group.

Meanwhile, the UBA denied any involvement of its chairman in the arrest, insisting that Elumelu never authorised the police to arrest anyone let alone, the human rights lawyer, Farotimi.

“Tony Elumelu has no hand in Dele’s arrest,” a top source in the bank said in a reaction to SaharaReporters.

It had reported that Farotimi raised the alarm over alleged threats to his life by some Nigerian elites in collusion with the security agencies and some legal experts.

Farotimi in the statement he personally signed and captioned, “They Want to Silence Me”, narrated how on November 11, he was informed that an invitation letter from the Zone 2, Police Command, was delivered to his office.

According to him, the letter requested that he should report to the station on November 13, at 10:00 AM.

The lawyer who said that he was accompanied by his legal counsel, noted that he arrived at the station at 9:45 AM on the stated date, and that at the station, he was presented with a petition written by a lawyer, accusing him of defamation.

“Despite finding the petition baseless, I addressed its content,” Farotimi said.

The arrest of Farotimi has since triggered outrage as many Nigerian and civil rights organisations have condemned his arrest and demanded his immediate release. They have also called on Nigerian police to stop being used as an instrument of oppression on behalf of the rich.

United Bank for Africa, through its Corporate Social Responsibility Arm, the UBA Foundation, on Monday, held its annual Garden Light-Up ceremony to kick-start the festive season.

The dazzling ceremony, held at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) head office in Lagos, brought together staff, customers, and well-wishers in a heart-warming display of joy, gratitude, and unity.

The Garden Light-Up, an annual tradition, represents UBA and its Foundation’s commitment to spreading cheer and fostering a sense of community during this special time of year. With festive decorations, brilliant lights, fireworks and lively music, the event serves as a beacon of hope and celebration, setting the tone for the season of giving.

Speaking at the event, UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, emphasised the bank’s dedication towards creating memorable experiences and its appreciation for the efforts of staff and customers throughout the year.

He reiterated that the annual Lighting ceremony is a symbol of hope for the coming year, the future and all the goodness it will bring into people’s lives.

He said, “As we approach Christmas, a time of love, we remember the spirit of giving and community. I would like to express gratitude to each and every one of you. We are happy and grateful for all your sacrifices and contributions, especially during what has been a difficult year.

“I am particularly grateful to the board of UBA, led by our own Chairman, Tony Elumelu. I would also like to thank the entire executive management team – including Our ED/CEOs from America, and all our management team. We appreciate the work they have done so far.

Alawuba explained that as the bank celebrates seventy-five years, it will continue to build a heritage that will last. “This ceremony is a reflection of our belief in the importance of family, unity, and giving back to the communities we serve. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones, and we look forward to an even brighter future, I therefore encourage each of you: when you go home, touch your neighbour’s life. By spreading kindness and light,” he stated.

The lighting ceremony was well-attended by UBA staff members and customers who were entertained with Christmas carols by the UBA Customer Fulfilment Centre’s choir. It ended with a guided tour around the UBA Foundation gardens on the Lagos Marina and fireworks.

Over the years, the UBA Foundation has been very active in creating sustainable development in its host communities and as part of its corporate social responsibility, the Foundation will be feeding tens of thousands of people across Africa during this festive season.

UBA Foundation, the CSR arm of the UBA Group, is committed to the socio-economic betterment of the communities in which the bank operates, focusing on development in the areas of Education, the Environment, Economic Empowerment and other Special projects.