EFCC to charge ex-AMCON MD, Arik, Union Bank for theft

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today arraign key figures involved in the controversial management of Arik Air.

The key figures include the former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru; the current MD of Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu; the Receiver Manager of Arik, Kamilu Omokide; Union Bank PLC; and Super Bravo Limited.

The defendants face a six-count at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, before Justice Mojisola Dada, for alleged stealing of Arik Air property, abuse of office, and fraudulent financial activities.

The charges follow a petition filed by the founder of Arik Air, Johnson Arumemi, and the airline’s shareholders, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana.

In the first count, Union Bank is charged with making a false statement to a public officer to cause and/or induce the unwarranted sale of Arik Air loans and bank guarantees. Union Bank is accused of making false statements to AMCON regarding Arik Air Limited’s performing loans, which led to the transfer of a bogus figure of N71 billion to AMCON.

The Union Bank offence is said to be in violation of, and punishable under, Section 96 of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2015.

In count 2, Ahmed Lawal Kuru, Kamilu Alaba Omokide, as Receiver Manager of Arik Air Limited, and Captain Roy Ilegbodu, as Chief Executive Officer of Arik Air Limited in receivership, were alleged to have stolen and fraudulently converted the total sum of N4,900,000.00 to the use of NG Eagle Limited in 2022.

The offence of stealing by fraudulent conversion of the property of another is said to be contrary to Section 278(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

In count 3, it was alleged that Captain Roy Ilegbodu, as MD/CEO of Arik Air Ltd in receivership, in May 2024 or thereabout, did steal the sum of N22,500,000.00 (Twenty-Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) by fraudulently converting it to the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed, the property of Arik Air Ltd.

In count 4, it was alleged that Ahmed Lawal Kuru, as Managing Director of AMCON, and Kamilu Alaba Omokide, as Receiver/Manager of Arik Air Ltd., being public officers, on July 11, 2019, or thereabout in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, directed an arbitrary act, to wit: intentionally and in violation of their functions, incorporated a company called NG Eagle Limited (RC Number 1600277) for the purpose of obtaining undue advantage for themselves or their cronies.

The offence of abuse of office is contrary to, and punishable under, Section 73 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

In count 5, Kamilu Alaba Omokide, Ahmed Lawal Kuru, and Captain Roy Ilegbodu, on February 12, 2022, or thereabout, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being public officers, directed an arbitrary act, to wit: intentionally authorizing the teardown and destruction of 5N-JEA with Serial No. 15058, valued at $31.5M (Thirty-One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars). This arbitrary act is alleged to be prejudicial to the economic stability of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Arik Air Limited.

In count 6, Kamilu Alaba Omokide, Ahmed Lawal Kuru, and Super Bravo Limited, on November 29, 2023, or thereabout, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to the use of Super Bravo Limited three (3) Boeing aircraft known as Manufacturer Serial Number 33944, Registration Number 5N MJG; Manufacturer Serial Number 35638, Registration Number 5N MJN; and Manufacturer Serial Number 34761, Registration Number 5N MJE, property of Arik Air Limited.

The offence of stealing by dishonestly taking the property of another is contrary to Section 278(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.