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EFCC arraigns ex-AMCON MD Kuru, four others over N76bn fraud

Published

1 year ago

January 20, 2025

ex-AMCON MD, Ahmed Lawan Kuru

EFCC arraigns ex-AMCON MD Kuru, four others over N76bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former Managing Director of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Ahmed Kuru and four others for allegedly defrauding Arik Airline of N76 billion and another $31.5 million.

The other four defendants are a former Receiver Manager of Arik Airline Ltd, Kamilu Omokide (who is listed as the first defendant) Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Captain Roy Ilegbodu (listed as the third defendant), Union Bank Ltd (named as the fourth defendant) and a company, Super Bravo Ltd, which is named as the fifth defendant.

Union Bank was charged with one count of making false statements to public officers while the other four defendants were arraigned on a five-count charge bordering on theft, abuse of office, and stealing by dishonestly taking the property of another.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty at their arraignment.

Following their plea, counsel to the first and third defendants, Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), told the court that he had a pending application for the bail of his clients which had been filed on Nov. 28 and November 29, 2024.

Osipitan asked the court to grant his clients bail on liberal terms.

According to him, the first defendant has no criminal records and was currently on administrative bail as granted him by the EFCC which he never jumped.

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He added that the first and third defendants had an opportunity to escape but did not.

Counsel to the EFCC, Wahab Shittu (SAN), raised objections to the grant of bail.

According to him, the two defendants were facing serious offences of economic sabotage and the temptation to leave the country was very high.

He, however, agreed with the counsel that they were presumed innocent pending the determination of the court. He instead suggested that the court grant an accelerated hearing of the case as well as the seizure of the defendants’ passports to ensure that they come for their trial.

The counsel to Kuru who is named as the second defendant, Olasupo Shasore (SAN), in his application for bail asked the court to also grant bail to his client on self-recognizance.

Shasore, in his bail application, supported by 17 paragraphs of affidavits, argued that bail application was to secure the attendance of defendants in court.

He said it was correct that the second defendant was placed on administrative bail by EFCC.

Shasore thereafter urged the court to grant bail to the defendant on self-recognition and also on the terms that were earlier given by the court when the bench warrant against him was set aside.

The prosecution in his counter affidavits dated January 17, opposed the bail application of the second defendant.

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He said the second defendant’s application for bail was incompetent and should be struck out.

Shittu cited relevant laws to buttress his argument.

He said: “My lord the record of this court is to the effect that the second defendant, at one point absconded in which your lordship had to issue a bench warrant.

“Learned silk for the second defendant is not the defendant on trial and it is very unhealthy for a counsel to stand as a surety for a defendant.

“I urge my lord, in exercising his discretion to take all this into consideration because our concern is the appearance of the second defendant so that he does not abscond.”

After listening to the arguments from the parties, Justice Mojisola Dada granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N20 million each with one surety each in like sum.

Dada said the sureties must be gainfully employed and must depose to means of identification.

She also directed the defendants to submit their passports to the registrar of the court.

The defendants are to remain in the custody of their respective counsel pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

Justice Dada then adjourned to March 17 for the commencement of the trial.

EFCC arraigns ex-AMCON MD Kuru, four others over N76bn fraud

Related Topics:EFCC ex-AMCON Featured fraud

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Diezani Must Return to Nigeria, Face EFCC Cases — Laolu Akande

Published

20 minutes ago

June 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke

Diezani Must Return to Nigeria, Face EFCC Cases — Laolu Akande

Former presidential spokesman Laolu Akande has urged former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to return to Nigeria and defend herself against pending corruption allegations and EFCC cases, despite her recent legal outcome in the United Kingdom.

Akande made the call during a monitored interview on Friday, describing the UK court’s decision as “exciting news,” but stressing that it does not end or override ongoing proceedings in Nigeria.

Akande said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) still has active cases involving Diezani, including court-ordered asset forfeitures linked to alleged proceeds of corruption. He maintained that while foreign court rulings may influence public perception, they do not conclude domestic legal processes, especially where Nigerian courts are still reviewing related matters. He argued that the former minister should return home and allow the Nigerian judiciary to fully determine the outstanding allegations, insisting that only a local court judgment can provide final closure.

He also revisited controversies surrounding Nigeria’s oil sector during Diezani’s tenure as petroleum minister, particularly the strategic alliance agreements involving the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC). Akande alleged that crude oil worth about $3 billion was sold under arrangements that did not involve proper payment of royalties or taxes. He added that these issues remain part of public records and investigations, though they are still subject to legal scrutiny and not fully resolved in court.

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He further claimed that documents reviewed during his time in government pointed to transactions involving Diezani and other individuals, adding that these matters require judicial determination in Nigeria.

Akande insisted that if Diezani believes the UK ruling supports her innocence, she should return to Nigeria and face the EFCC corruption trials to clear her name once and for all. He said allowing Nigerian courts to decide the pending cases would help resolve one of the country’s most high-profile corruption controversies and strengthen accountability in public service.

Diezani Alison-Madueke, who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan, has faced multiple corruption allegations in Nigeria and abroad since leaving office in 2015. She has consistently denied wrongdoing, while several asset recovery and forfeiture proceedings have been carried out by Nigerian authorities over the years.

Akande’s remarks have further intensified public debate over whether foreign court outcomes should influence domestic corruption cases involving former public officials.

Diezani Must Return to Nigeria, Face EFCC Cases — Laolu Akande

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EFCC to Probe Adeyanju, VeryDarkMan Over Alleged Terror Financing, Funding Sources

Published

32 minutes ago

June 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Martins Vincent Otse (VeryDarkMan) and Deji Adeyanju

EFCC to Probe Adeyanju, VeryDarkMan Over Alleged Terror Financing, Funding Sources

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is reportedly set to begin a preliminary investigation into activist-lawyer Deji Adeyanju and social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse (VeryDarkMan) over allegations linked to terror financing claims, illicit funding channels, and suspected financial irregularities.

The development follows a petition submitted on June 17, 2026, by lawyer Blessing Agbomhere, which called on the EFCC to scrutinise the sources of funding behind their activism, public campaigns, legal interventions, and media engagements.

In the petition, Agbomhere urged the anti-graft agency to conduct a detailed review of the duo’s bank accounts, financial transactions, personal and associated business assets, sponsorship arrangements, and possible foreign or third-party inflows. He argued that while freedom of expression and public advocacy are constitutionally protected rights, the scale and visibility of their campaigns raise concerns that warrant regulatory examination.

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The petitioner further noted that, in some global cases, undisclosed funding structures have been used to influence public opinion or weaken institutions. Based on this, he urged authorities to determine whether any similar risks exist in relation to the individuals involved.

The petition also called on the EFCC to work alongside relevant security and intelligence agencies to assess whether any of the funds in question could pose a threat to national security.

While the EFCC has not confirmed any formal charges, reports suggest the agency is reviewing the petition and may commence preliminary financial investigations, which typically involve verifying claims, tracing financial flows, and assessing compliance with anti-money laundering laws and financial regulations.

At this stage, no indictment has been filed, and the allegations remain unproven.

Both Adeyanju and VeryDarkMan are prominent figures in Nigeria’s civic and digital activism space, known for their outspoken criticism of government policies and institutions. Their activities have often attracted both strong public support and controversy.

The petition itself clarified that it does not amount to an allegation of guilt but is intended to promote transparency and accountability. It added that if the EFCC finds all funding sources to be legitimate, it would help clear doubts and reinforce public trust in their activities.

EFCC to Probe Adeyanju, VeryDarkMan Over Alleged Terror Financing, Funding Sources

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Tinubu Approves Six-Month Extension for Nigeria Customs Chief

Published

45 minutes ago

June 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

Tinubu Approves Six-Month Extension for Nigeria Customs Chief

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a six-month extension for the tenure of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, extending his leadership of the agency until February 2027.

The extension takes effect from August 1, 2026, when his current tenure was originally expected to end.

According to a statement issued by the Presidency through the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the decision is aimed at ensuring continuity in ongoing reforms within the Customs Service, particularly the full rollout of the National Single Window project, a major digital trade facilitation system designed to streamline import and export processes in Nigeria.

The Presidency explained that the extension will also allow Adeniyi to consolidate improvements in revenue generation, border management, and anti-smuggling operations, while ensuring a structured and orderly transition in the leadership of the service.

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During the extended period, Adeniyi is expected to work closely with the Customs Service Board to oversee key administrative processes, including the promotion of eligible officers to the rank of Comptroller of Customs, as well as the retirement of officers who have reached the mandatory age of 60 years or completed 35 years in service. These steps are part of wider efforts to strengthen institutional stability within the agency.

Adeniyi, an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, joined the Nigeria Customs Service in the late 1980s and has spent decades rising through the ranks. His career progression includes promotion to Deputy Comptroller in 2012, Comptroller in 2017, Assistant Comptroller-General in 2020, and Acting Deputy Comptroller-General in January 2023 before his appointment as Comptroller-General by President Tinubu in June 2023.

Since assuming office, he has led reforms focused on modernising Customs operations, strengthening border security, improving compliance systems, and boosting non-oil revenue generation for the federal government.

The extension is widely viewed as part of the administration’s broader strategy to stabilise key revenue-generating agencies and sustain ongoing digital transformation efforts across Nigeria’s trade and border control systems.