Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has admitted in evidence the petition and 39 annexures attached in an ongoing trial of the former Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru, and others.

Kuru, alongside Kamilu Alaba Omokide, also a Receiver Manager of Arik Air; Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Managing Director of Arik Air; Union Bank Plc. and Super Bravo Limited, are standing trial over an alleged fraud involving N76 billion and $31.5 million.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused the defendants of conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and making false statements in connection with the alleged fraudulent conversion of assets belonging to the defunct Arik Air Limited.

The prosecution counsel, Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN), at the resumed hearing yesterday, called the fourth witness, Assistant Director with the EFCC, Bawa Usman Kaltungo, who, in his testimony, narrated how the investigation was conducted and documents recovered.

The court admitted the bundle as exhibits.

He also informed the court that during the investigation, the first defendant, Omokide, petitioned the Attorney-General, alleging harassment and seeking a halt to the probe.

According to him, the petition, which contained 39 attachments, was accompanied by a legal opinion written by the Attorney-General and signed by the Solicitor-General.

Besides, Kaltungo told the court that his team extended their investigation to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), noting that they got the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the minutes of the meeting and decision to appoint a receiver manager to Arik a week after taking over.

The witness further told the court that Kuru allegedly diverted funds belonging to Arik Air to offset insurance liabilities owed by Umza Airline while serving as Receiver Manager of Arik Air.

However, when Shittu sought to tender the CTV of the insurance certificate, the defendants’ counsel objected to its admissibility.

They argued that there was no mention of diversion or conversion of Arik money for payment of NEM Insurance Company.

The counsel submitted that the document is not connected with the counts of the charge.

Justice Dada held that the insurance certificate was not included in the charge before the court and therefore rejected it.

The judge subsequently adjourned further hearing in the matter to February 26, 2026.