Thursday, July 31, 2025 -The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alerted a Lagos court to alleged plans by two defendants in the ongoing N75 billion and $31.5 million fraud trial involving former AMCON Managing Director Ahmed Kuru to secretly sell off key assets tied to the case.
At the hearing on Wednesday, July 30, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the
Special Offences Court in Ikeja, EFCC counsel Wahab Shittu, SAN, expressed
concern that Kamilu Omokide, Receiver Manager of Arik Air, and Capt. Roy
Ilegbodu, the airline’s CEO, were allegedly plotting to dispose of aircraft
assets under litigation.
The duo is standing trial alongside Kuru, Union Bank of
Nigeria Plc, and Super Bravo Limited on a six-count charge bordering on
conspiracy, stealing, and abuse of office.
Shittu’s alarm came while responding to an application filed
by Ilegbodu seeking permission to travel abroad for urgent medical treatment.
While not opposing the request, Shittu cited intelligence reports about
potential asset sales that could compromise the integrity of the trial.
“This case is at a critical stage. We do not want anything
that will undermine the court proceedings or tamper with the subject matter of
this case,” Shittu told the court.
Lawyers for the second and fourth defendants denied any
involvement in the alleged sale of assets. Counsel for Ilegbodu said his client
has no authority to dispose of any aircraft, while Union Bank’s lawyer,
Olalekan Ojo, SAN, described the EFCC’s claim as speculative and insisted that
the bank remained a “responsible corporate entity.”
Justice Dada, after hearing all submissions, granted
Ilegbodu’s application for medical travel and also approved a similar travel
request earlier filed by the first and third defendants on July 17, 2025.
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