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

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2 months ago

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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

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We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde

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8 hours ago

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March 28, 2025

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Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde

We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured Muslims in the state that he has no objections to the operation of Sharia panels, emphasizing that individuals are free to seek dispute resolution through them if they so wish.

Speaking at the 2025 Iftar event organized by the state government at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde clarified that he has no plans to challenge the legality of Sharia courts in the state. His comments were conveyed in a statement on Thursday by his media aide, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.

Earlier in the week, Dr. Rafiu Bello, Chairman of the Sharia Committee of Oyo Land, had confirmed that a Sharia panel had already been established in Oyo town and had begun sittings. This led to renewed discussions regarding the panel’s constitutionality.

In response, Makinde reiterated his stance that the Constitution remains the supreme authority in all legal matters while acknowledging the role of Sharia panels in alternative dispute resolution.

“I read in the newspaper that I would go to court for interpretation on the Sharia panel, which is ongoing in Oyo. That is not my position,” the governor stated. “My position is that we will support anything that is in our Constitution.”

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Makinde explained that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including the Sharia panel, could ease the burden on the courts, provided they do not conflict with constitutional provisions.

He further emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining religious harmony and unity in the state, cautioning against attempts to use religion for political gains.

“As we move towards the next election, there will be elements that only think about the next election. But what we have done in this administration is to think about the next generation,” he said.

The governor also used the occasion to appreciate the Muslim community for their support and prayers, acknowledging the contributions of religious leaders, lawmakers, and security agencies in fostering peace and development in Oyo State.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin (represented by Deputy Speaker Mohammed Fadeyi), and other key figures from the judiciary and legislative arms of government.

We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde

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EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud

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8 hours ago

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March 28, 2025

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EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud

Mamman Nasir Ali, the son of former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and one Christian Taylor were on Thursday rearraigned for an alleged N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud before Justice Mojisola Dadap of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

They were re-arraigned alongside Nasaman Oil Services Limited on an amended 57-count charge, following new findings in the case.

The defendants had initially been arraigned on a 49-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and the use of false documents.

At the scheduled trial for the adoption of final written addresses on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Seiduh Atteh, informed the court of the amended charges and requested that the defendants take a fresh plea.

There was no objection from the defence counsel, Obafemi Kolade, SAN.

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Consequently, the court granted the request.

The defendants, thereafter, pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charges preferred against them.

In the amended charge, the defendants, as well as Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul Afeez, who are both at large, allegedly “fraudulently obtained money from the Federal Government on or about September 9, 2011.”

The defendants also allegedly forged a document titled: “ GASOLINE ANALYSIS” on board MT Overseas Limar, purportedly issued by Saybolt Concremat on the said date.

Following the re-arraignment, Kolade requested time for the defence to amend its written address in response to the new charges.

Justice Dada directed the prosecution to file a response before the next hearing.

The case was adjourned till April 15, 2025 for the adoption of final written addresses.

EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud

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Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy

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8 hours ago

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March 28, 2025

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Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy

The Campaign for Democracy, a civil society organisation, on Thursday said the recall of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi Central) by her constituents would deepen democracy in Nigeria.

The pro-democracy group also said that such action by her concerned constituents would help put lawmakers on their toes to serve them well.

The group made this known in a statement issued in Lokoja by its President, Mr Ifeanyi Odili.

It expressed worry over what it described as “avoidable” crisis between embattled suspended Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio a few weeks ago.

According to the group, the incident has put Nigeria’s image on trial before the global community.

The CSO said it was worried that, rather than addressing the core issues surrounding her (Akpoti-Uduaghan) suspension within the framework of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, she chose to “engage in a campaign of calumny against the Senate as an institution.”

“It’s unfortunate that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s activities within and outside the country since the beginning of the controversy have cast an unfortunate dent on the image of Nigeria, for which she must apologise.

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“This is nothing but gross misconduct against Nigeria,” it said.

It advised respected Nigerian leaders to always identify when not to play opposition politics with delicate national issues, in the best interest of the nation.

“More worrisome is the fact that she has distorted the facts preceding her suspension and curiously held on to her sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President as the reason for the initial actions taken against her.

“Taking such misrepresentation to the world stage and representing Nigeria illegally at the Inter Parliamentary Union to air such views can be described as nothing but gross misconduct against the country.

“She needs to apologise. This should not be muddled up with politics, the group said.

The group wondered why Sen. Natasha had abandoned her faith in the Nigerian judiciary.

According to the group, since she has already taken her grievances to the courts, one would have expected her to allow due process to take its course.

It argued that resorting to media trials, seeking sympathy from foreign audiences, Akpoti-Uduaghan has watered down whatever sympathy she could have gained from them and Nigerians at large.

“Her current confrontational approach serves no productive purpose other than to bring ridicule to Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

“As a public official, she has a responsibility to uphold the dignity of her office and promote national cohesion, rather than dragging the country’s name through unnecessary international controversies,” the group said.

The CSO commended the electorate of Kogi Central for exercising their constitutional rights to initiate a recall process.

“This is a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s democracy,” it said.

 

Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy

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