Crime
Court Adjourns Ex-AMCON MD, Kuru, Others’ Trial Till June 4 Over Alleged N76bn, $31.5m Fraud
Court Adjourns Ex-AMCON MD, Kuru, Others’ Trial Till June 4 Over Alleged N76bn, $31.5m Fraud
Court adjourns ex-AMCON MD, Kuru, others’ trial till June 4 over alleged N76bn, $31.5m fraud. Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, adjourned till June 4, 2025 further hearing in the trial of Mallam Ahmed Kuru, a former Managing Director of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, and four others, over alleged N76bn and $31.5m fraud.
Kuru , alongside Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, Managing Director of Arik Air, Kamilu Omokide, Receiver Manager of Arik Air, Union Bank Nigeria Plc and Super Bravo Limited is facing trial on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, and abuse of office to the tune of N75bn and $31.5m fraud.
At the resumed sitting on Wednesday , the second prosecution witness , PW2, Austine Obigwe, a former Group Executive Director of Union Bank Plc, stated that in 2011, two years after he exited Union Bank, Arik Air was indebted to his company, Staal, to the tune of $2.3m.
He, however, said: “I am not interested in collecting it. I wrote it off when I discovered that Arik Air started having challenges.”
During cross-examination by the defence counsel, including Olasupo Shasore, SAN (for the second defendant); Olalekan Ojo, SAN (for the fourth defendant); and Tayo Oyedepo, SAN (for the fifth defendant), the PW2 also confirmed that following his exit from Union Bank, he began consultancy engagements with Arik Air and other companies.
When asked whether the founder of Arik Air, Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide, was a personal acquaintance, he responded in the affirmative.
He, however, added that “ I currently don’t have any formal relationship with the airline, I maintain a relationship with Arumemi-Ikhide.”
Obigwe stated that he participated in an inspection of 26 aircraft belonging to Arik Air in 2009, and found them to be airworthy and in good condition based on assessments provided by Lufthansa.
“I had no reason to doubt Lufthansa’s evaluation,” he said, adding that the purpose of the inspection was to ensure that the airline’s fleet had not been depleted.
When asked about the airline’s compliance with its loan obligations, Obigwe testified that during his tenure at Union Bank, there were no complaints from other financial institutions suggesting that Arik Air was defaulting on its loan obligations.
He also confirmed that Arik Air was servicing its loan with Union Bank during his tenure.
Responding to a letter dated April 23, 2009, allegedly written by AMCON to Union Bank concerning a N46.11 bn debt owed by Arik Air, the witness stated that the letter was not brought to his attention while he was still with the bank.
Court
When asked to speak about the character and management of Arik Air, the witness said: “I can only speak for the period I was there. When I was in Union Bank, Arik Air was one of the best companies.”
Also, when asked about the options available to lenders when a loan becomes non-performing, Obigwe said that the lender might choose to transfer the loan to another bank, reassign it, or enforce the security tied to the loan.
“ A lender is legally empowered to dispose of the security in the event of default by the borrower,” he added.
The matter was adjourned till June 4, 2025 for the continuation of trial.
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
EFCC releases ex-AGF Malami after hours of interrogation. He said he would return for further questioning.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has released the former attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, after hours of interrogation by the anti-graft team.
Mr Malami confirmed his release in his X account on Saturday. The former minister said that he had been released and scheduled for another meeting with investigators.
He said that the reality behind the “fabricated allegations” levelled against him would become clearer with time.
“In line with my undertaking to keep Nigerians updated on my invitation by EFCC, I give glory to Allah for his divine intervention. “The engagement was successful and I am eventually released while on an appointment for further engagement as the truth relating to the fabricated allegations against me continues to unfold.”
EFCC Releases Ex-AGF Malami After Hours Of Interrogation
The EFCC had summoned Mr Malami through a letter dated November 24, and signed by Sunday Ofen-Imu on behalf of its chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The EFCC did not disclose the specific allegations for which Mr Malami was invited.
Kano NSCDC Nabs 11 Suspected Hoodlums With Dangerous Weapons
Kano NSCDC nabs 11 suspected hoodlums with dangerous weapons. According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, the suspects were arrested on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State command, says it has arrested a gang of 11 suspected hoodlums found in possession of dangerous weapons in Mariri, Kumbotso Local Government Area.
This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Kano by the command’s public relations officer, SC Ibrahim Idris-Abdullahi.
He listed the suspects as Idris Muhammad,20, Abubakar Shuaibu,24, Sagiru Hassan Yusuf, 25, Idris Muhammad Morata, 25, and Anas Rabiu, 23.
Others were Yahaya Muhammad, 29, Khalid Idris, 28, Muhammad Adamu, 19, Muktar Auwal Muktar ,22, Salim Muktar, 18, and Saifullahi Nuhu,18.
According to Mr Idris-Abdullahi, operatives of the command apprehended the suspects on Wednesday at about 1:00 a.m, armed with dangerous local weapons.
NSCDC
“The gang was on a rampage after attending a local traditional festival in Mariri area and were attacking residents and dispossessing them of their belongings.
“The gang also stormed a nearby NSCDC outpost in Mariri, attacked and left a staff fractured in the office” he said
Idris-Abdullahi listed the items recovered to include six cutlasses, swords and a pair of scissors.
He added that the command’s intelligence and investigation department had concluded investigations and the suspects would be charged to court.
Idris-Abdullahi quoted the state commandant, Mohammed Hassan-Agalama, as reaffirming the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities, protecting critical national assets and safeguarding public peace in Kano State.
Lagos Police Nab 26 Over Counterfeit Currency, Adulterated Diesel
Lagos Police nab 26 over counterfeit currency, adulterated diesel. The police said N951,300 in counterfeit notes was recovered from the suspects’ premises during the raid.
The police command in Lagos has apprehended 26 suspects over counterfeit currency and adulterated diesel in the Eti-Osa and Lekki areas. The command spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed this in a statement on Friday.
She said the suspects were apprehended on Thursday afternoon during a joint operation conducted by police officers and officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline.
According to her, a total of N951,300 in counterfeit notes was recovered from the suspects’ premises during the raid.
The spokesperson said investigations revealed that four of the suspects were directly involved in the production and distribution of adulterated diesel and engine oil, locally known as ‘rice and beans’.
“The illicit product was sold to unsuspecting motorists across the area. Two other suspects were identified as suppliers of the adulterated petroleum products,” she said.
Police Arrests
Ms Adebisi said that police commissioner Olohundare Jimoh warned all criminally minded individuals to desist from their nefarious activities.
“CP Jimoh cautioned that anyone involved in acts that threaten public peace or economic stability will face the full weight of the law,” she said.
She assured residents that Lagos remains safe, reiterating that the command is in control of the security situation and has prioritised the safety and well-being of all residents.
She urged the public to provide credible and timely information that could assist the police in apprehending criminals and preventing crime.
“Public cooperation remains essential to sustaining the peace and security for which Lagos state is known,” she said.
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