The Lagos State Special Offences Court has ordered the arrest of the former Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru, for his absence at his arraignment on an alleged N76b fraud.
Justice Mojisola Dada issued the Bench warrant following a plea by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC had scheduled today for the arraignment of Kuru. He was to be arraigned alongside the Managing Director of Arik Air, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, the receiver manager of Arik, Kamilu Omokide, Union Bank plc, and a company, Super Bravo Limited for an alleged N76 billion and $31.5millon fraud.
At the proceedings this morning, the EFCC was represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Wahab Shittu while Omokide and ilegbodu, the first and third defendants, were represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Taiwo Osipitan.
Both defendants were present in court.
Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olalekan Ojo represented the bank who is the fourth defendant, while Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Tayo Oyetibo, represented the 5th defendant, Super Bravo Limited.
The absence of Kuru, however, stalled the arraignment of all the defendants, with counsel to the EFCC, Shittu asking the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.
Shittu said that the former MD of AMCON has jumped administrative bail granted by the EFCC on several occasions.
“In view of the attitude of the second defendant, we urge the court to issue a bench warrant,” he said.
“My lord, all the defendants in this case were served but when the EFCC got to the residence of the second defendant, the man had disappeared. He has blocked all contact.
“Someone who is the former MD of AMCON is not supposed to behave that way.”
Justice Dada subsequently granted the prosecution request and Issued a warrant of arrest against the second defendant (Kuru).
A subsequent move to vacate the warrant by one I.B. Amefula Esq who announced an appearance for Kuru was rejected by the court.
Amaefula who arrived in court after the warrant was granted said he had to rush down to the court after he got wind of the proceedings. He said neither Kuru nor his lawyers were aware of the arraignment.
Justice Dada said the orders of the court were not made in vain and declined to vacate the warrant.
The judge said, “When the defendant presented himself in court on the next adjourned date, the court will revoke the order”.
The EFCC had filed a six-count charge against the defendants bordering on abuse of office, stealing by fraudulent conversion, and making false statements to a public officer.
