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Alleged Arik N76bn fraud: Court orders bench warrant for ex-AMCON MD
Other defendants are former Receiver Manager of Arik Airline Ltd, Kamilu Omokide, Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Union Bank Ltd and Super Bravo Ltd.
Justice Mojisola Dada issued the bench against Kuru after the arraignment was stalled due to his absence.
Dada said that she would revoke the bench warrant at the next adjourned date if the second defendant is present in court.
The judge adjourned the case until Jan. 20 2025 for arraignment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the five defendants were charged with theft, abuse of office, making false statements to public officer and stealing by dishonestly taking the property of another, proffered against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
When the case was called, Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN) appeared for the prosecution.
Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) appeared for the first and third defendant, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN) for the fourth defendant, Mr Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for the fifth defendant while Mr I.B. Amefula appeared for the second defendant holden brief of Mr Olasupo Sashore (SAN).
EFCC Counsel, Shittu prayed the court to issue warrant of arrest against the second defendant due to the absence.
Shittu submitted that the prosecution could not longer arraign of the defendants because Kuru was not on court.
According to him, the former MD of AMCON has jumped administrative bail on several occasions.
He said: “My lord, the second defendant jumped administrative and blocked his contacts.
“In view of his attitude, we urge the court to issue bench warrant.
“My lord, all the defendants in this case were served but they got to the residence of the second defendant, the man had disappeared.
“Someone who is the former MD of AMCON is not supposed to behave that way.”
The Lead Counsel to Omokide (first defendant) and Ilegbodu (third defendant), Prof Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) prayed the court to allow his clients continue to enjoy the administrative bail given to them by EFCC.
The EFCC alleged that the defendants of abuse of office and stealing property belonging to Arik Airline.
The anti graft agency alleged that sometime in 2011, Union Bank Nigeria with the intention of causing and/or inducing unwarranted sale of Arik Air loans and bank guarantees Union Bank, made false statements to the Assets Management Cooperation of Nigeria regarding Arik Air Ltd’s performing loans ànd later transferred the sum of N71 billion to AMCON.
The commission also alleged that Kuru, Omokide and
Ilegbodu sometime in 2022, fraudulently converted to their use of NG Eagle Ltd the total sum of N4,9 billion.
The anti-graft agency also alleged the CEO of Arik stole the sum of N22.5 million by fraudulently converting same to the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed, property of Arik Air Ltd.
The EFCC also alleged the defendants obtained undue advantage for themselves and intentionally authorized the tear down and destruction of 5N-JEA with Serial No. 15058 valued at 31.5 million dollars , an arbitrary act, which was prejudicial to the economic stability of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Arik Air Limited.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene Sections 73, 96, 278(1) and 278(6) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015. (NAN)
The Kano state governor, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, has requested members of the state house of Assembly to move to a convenient site for legislative functions to allow for demolition of the Assembly Complex for a new model one.
The governor in a letter addressed to the speaker of the house, Hon. Ismail Falgore, appreciated the cordial relationship between the executive arm under his leadership and the legislative arm under the leadership of the speaker and further announced his intention to demolished the building.
Reading the letter on the floor of the house during plenary, the speaker announced the intention of the state government to construct a new and befitting chamber that would stand the taste of time.
The governor therefore admonished them to move to a convenient site where they could continue to carryout their legislative functions effectively before the completion of the new chamber.
In his response to the letter, the majority of the house hon. Lawan Husseini, urged the governor to ensure transparency and due process is followed in awarding the contract.
He advised that, the contract should be awarded to a competent contractor who will ensure standards and the completion of the project at the appropriate time.
The National Economic Council on Thursday kicked against the current livestock rearing system in Nigeria, saying there is a need to change from the old ways to modern practice.
The Council, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, took the stand during its meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting comes amidst the spate of attacks in parts of the country, including Plateau, Benue, and Kwara States where scores of citizens have been killed by suspected gunmen.
Briefing State House Correspondents shortly after the meeting, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State said NEC emphasised the need to work towards modernising livestock production in Nigeria.
“Council emphasised the fact that we cannot continue to live in the past, and we must now work towards modernising livestock production in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, the council noted that the current system of animal husbandry in the country is fuelling the farmers/herders clash, as witnessed recently in parts of the country.
Governor Diri explained that the new Ministry of Livestock Development has also revealed an Accelerated Livestock Development and Growth Strategy, which targets to boost revenue generation from the sector to between $70 billion and $90 billion by 2035.
Clashes between nomadic cattle herders and farmers over land use are common in central Nigeria.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia had earlier blamed the recent attacks in the Ukum and Logo local government areas on “suspected herdsmen”.
With many herders belonging to the Muslim Fulani ethnic group, and many farmers Christian, the attacks in the Middle Belt often take on a religious or ethnic dimension. Two attacks by unidentified gunmen earlier this month in neighbouring Plateau state left more than 100 people dead.
Back-to-back massacres — more than 50 people killed in two districts — in Plateau state this month have marked a serious escalation in the state, with authorities scrambling to contain the attacks in a region where ethnic tensions have long simmered.
Families of slain Plateau residents weep after marauders killed their loved ones in overnight attacks
Plateau state authorities have claimed the killings were part of a “genocide” that was “sponsored by terrorists”.
Critics say that rhetoric masks the true causes of the conflict — disputes over land and a failure by authorities and police to govern the countryside.
A local herder group denounced the Plateau state killings while also noting that its own members have been under attack by farmers.
Land grabbing, political and economic tensions between local “indigenes” and those considered outsiders, as well as an influx of hardline Muslim and Christian preachers, have heightened divisions in Plateau state in recent decades.
When violence flares, weak policing all but guarantees indiscriminate reprisal attacks.
Across the wider Middle Belt, including in Benue, land used by farmers and herders is coming under stress from climate change and human expansion, sparking deadly competition for increasingly limited space.
Members of The Progressive Lecturers Network, comprising lecturers from the seven tertiary intuitions in Rivers have thrown their weight behind the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, describing it as a timely and necessary step that averted total breakdown of law and order.
In a communiqué read by their President, Wiri ThankGod, after an emergency congress in Port Harcourt, the academic group commended the President for what they termed a “decisive intervention” that restored peace in a state that was “almost at a point of explosion.”
“We thank the President for the restoration of peace in Rivers State through the declaration of a state of emergency, as the state was almost at a point of explosion if not for the timely intervention of Mr. President.”
The group also expressed confidence in the leadership of the Sole Administrator of the state, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
It hailed his neutrality, courage, and early signs of commitment to good governance.
“We congratulate the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Retrd) on his appointment and courage and neutrality demonstrated so far,” the communiqué read.
They express their commitment to peace and development and announced plans to launch a state-wide awareness campaign to sensitize the public on the importance of supporting the federal government’s efforts in Rivers State.
They urged other stakeholders to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda for the betterment of the state.
“As a network of academics, we believe in and stand for respect for the rule of law. We will continue to open our doors for consultation and inclusiveness in governance,” the group stated.
The Progressive Lecturers Network also commended President Tinubu for appointing Rivers indigenes into positions of trust, particularly, former Governor Nyesom Wike and Senator Magnus Abe in key roles.
They further lauded the administration for its attention to major infrastructural and educational projects in the state, including the rehabilitation of the Eleme section of the East-West Road and the approval for the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology in Ogoni.
In addition to their support for the state of emergency, the lecturers extended gratitude to President Tinubu for the recent release of N50 billion for lecturers’ allowances, describing the move as a significant boost to morale in the education sector.
They say the gesture has rekindled trust in the federal government among academics nationwide.