Akin Kuponiyi
A Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, today was told that a former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Lawan Kuru, allegedly diverted funds belonging to Arik Air to offset insurance liabilities owed by Umza Airline while serving as Managing Director.
An Assistant Director with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bawal Usman Kaltungo, while being led in evidence by the EFCC prosecutor, Dr.Wahab Shittu, disclosed before the court.
Ahmed Kuru, alongside other defendants, is standing trial over an alleged fraud involving N76 billion and $31.5 million.
The defendants are accused of conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office, and making false statements in connection with the alleged fraudulent conversion of assets belonging to the defunct Arik Air Limited.
Other defendants in the charge include Kamilu Alaba Omokide, a Receiver Manager of Arik Air; Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Managing Director of Arik Air; Union Bank Plc; and a limited liability company, Super Bravo Limited.
Testifying before Justice Mojisola Dada, the witness said investigations revealed that Arik Air’s funds were diverted to settle insurance obligations of Umza Airlines.
“In the course of investigation, we discovered that Arik Air’s money was used to pay the insurance of Umza Airlines. We invited Umza Airlines, which confirmed the development. We also found that Umza Aviation Services had commenced repayment, but had not concluded it as at the time of investigation,” he said.
Kaltungo further told the court that investigators discovered that AMCON opened several accounts for Arik Air and assigned an account officer to manage the airline’s loan.
“We invited the account officer, who provided the statement of the loan account signed by him and one Justin Akune. The statement was submitted to the Commission with a covering letter. The aim was to determine whether the Receiver Manager was performing the role for which he was appointed, but we discovered he was not,” the witness stated.
He also told the court that during the investigation, the first defendant, Omokide, petitioned the Attorney-General, alleging harassment and seeking a halt to the probe.
According to him, the petition, which contained 39 attachments, was accompanied by a legal opinion written by the Attorney-General and signed by the Solicitor-General.
“My head of the investigative team received copies of the petition. It was essentially requesting that the investigation be stopped,” he added.
Counsel to the defence indicated that they would reserve their objections until the address stage.
Justice Dada subsequently adjourned further hearing in the matter till tomorrow, February 26, 2026.
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