The Lagos High Court in Ikeja granted Ahmed Kuru, former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), permission to travel to London for urgent medical treatment.
Presiding Judge Mojisola Dada, on Tuesday, approved the release of Kuru’s international passport following an application by his counsel, Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya (SAN designate), who cited the “extreme urgency” of the medical need, though specifics of the illness were not disclosed.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Wahab Shittu (SAN), did not oppose the travel request but raised concerns about intelligence reports suggesting that the first defendant, Kamilu Omokide (former Receiver Manager of Arik Air), and the third defendant, Captain Roy Ilegbodu (Arik Air CEO), planned to dispose of aircraft linked to Arik Air, central to the ongoing criminal trial.
Shittu questioned whether Kuru’s travel was a pretext to facilitate such transactions, noting that some aircraft were reportedly in France.Kuru, the second defendant, is being tried alongside Omokide, Ilegbodu, Union Bank of Nigeria PLC, and Super Bravo Limited on a six-count charge filed by the EFCC in January 2025.
The charges allege conspiracy and fraud involving ₦76 billion and $31.5 million related to Arik Air. Union Bank faces one count of providing false statements, while the other defendants are accused of theft, abuse of office, and related offenses under Sections 73, 96, 278(1), and 278(6) of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.
Badejo-Okusanya refuted the EFCC’s claims, asserting they did not apply to Kuru and clarifying that his travel was to the UK, not France. Union Bank’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), dismissed the EFCC’s allegations as speculative, emphasizing the bank’s reputable status.
Justice Dada acknowledged the concerns but declined to issue a restraining order on the assets, citing a lack of supporting evidence.
The EFCC’s charges include allegations that Union Bank misrepresented Arik Air’s loan status in 2011, leading to a ₦71 billion transfer to AMCON.
Additionally, Kuru, Omokide, and Ilegbodu are accused of diverting ₦4.9 billion to NG Eagle Ltd in 2022, while Ilegbodu allegedly transferred ₦22.5 million fraudulently to Magashi Ali Mohammed.
The agency further claims the defendants caused the destruction of an Arik Air aircraft (5N-JEA), valued at $31.5 million, harming Nigeria’s economic stability.
All defendants pleaded not guilty and were granted bail of ₦20 million each with one surety, surrendering their passports as a condition.
The trial continues as Kuru prepares for his medical travel, with the court balancing humanitarian considerations against the gravity of the allegations.
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