metro
N80bn fraud: Court orders ex-AMCON MD Ahmed Kuru’s arrest
N80bn fraud: Court orders ex-AMCON MD Ahmed Kuru’s arrest
The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja issued a bench warrant on Tuesday against Ahmed Kuru, former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, for alleged fraud of N76 billion and $31.5 million.
Justice Mojisola Dada ordered Kuru’s arrest after he failed to appear in court for his Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraignment.
Kuru, the Managing Director of Arik Air; Captain Roy Ilegbodu, the receiver manager of Arik; Kamilu Omokide, Union Bank Plc; and a firm, Super Bravo Limited, were due to be arraigned in court on Tuesday for alleged N76 billion and $31.5 million fraud.
They are charged with six counts of making a false statement, fraudulent conversion, abuse of office, theft, and dishonest conversion of property.
According to the EFCC, the acts committed violated Section 96 of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2015, as well as Sections 278 (1) (b) and 278 (6) of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2011.
However, the arraignment could not proceed due to the absence of Kuru and his lead counsel, Olasupo Shasore (SAN).
READ ALSO:
- FCT police impound 296 vehicles with tinted glass, defaced number plates
- How mother of late Dowen College student, Sylvester Oromoni, died, family, others mourn
- Gunmen kill pastor going for burial, kidnap 3 others in Kogi
When the case was called, the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN), announced his presence, while Prof. Taiwo Osiptan (SAN) represented the first defendant (Kamilu Omokide) and the third defendant (Captain Roy Ilegbodu).
Olalekan Ojo (SAN) declared his appearance for the fourth defendant (Union Bank of Nigeria Plc), while Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) arrived for the fifth defendant (Super Bravo Limited).
However, the second defendant, Ahmed Kuru, was not present in court and was not represented. The judge then issued a bench warrant for Kuru.
However, as the judge prepared to adjourn the case, she learnt that former MD of AMCON was on his way to court. So, she put the case aside for a while.
When the court reconvened, Kuru was still absent, but I.B. Amefula, Kuru’s lawyer, announced his attendance.
Shittu, dissatisfied with the development, petitioned the court to issue a warrant for Kuru’s arrest.
“The former MD of AMCON had 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.
“My Lord, all the defendants in this case were served, but they got to the residence of the second defendant, the man, and he had disappeared. He had blocked his contact.
“Someone who is a former MD of AMCON is not supposed to behave that way,” Shittu argued.
Justice Dada granted Shittu’s request and issued a bench warrant for Kuru.
The judge dismissed Amefula’s request to lift the bench warrant.
“I will retain the order until the next adjourned date. When he is here on the next adjourned date, I will revoke the order,” the judge said and adjourned till January 20, 2025, for the arraignment.
N80bn fraud: Court orders ex-AMCON MD Ahmed Kuru’s arrest
metro
UK hikes visa fees as new rates take effect April 9
UK hikes visa fees as new rates take effect April 9
The United Kingdom Home Office has announced an upward revision of visa application fees across various categories, with the cost of study visas for main applicants and their dependents rising from £490 to £524.
According to an update published on the Home Office website on March 19, the new fees will apply from April 9. The cost of a six-month visit visa will increase from £115 to £127, while a two-year visa will now be issued at £475, up from £432. Additionally, the fee for a 10-year visa has been raised from £963 to £1,059.
Transit visas have also been affected by the changes, with the direct airside transit visa fee increasing from £35 to £39, and the direct landside visit visa rising from £64 to £70.
READ ALSO:
- Ex-Rivers HoS wife cries for help over husband’s safety
- Fubara reacts as Ex-HOS, Nwaeke accuses him of bombing oil pipelines, Rivers Assembly
- Natasha: Emmanuel Uduaghan threatens to sue Senator Nwaebonyi
The UK has long been a preferred destination for Nigerian students looking to further their education, often as a way to escape economic challenges at home. However, the number of Nigerian students applying to study in the UK has dropped significantly in 2024 following a government policy barring most international students from bringing their family members.
The rule, which does not apply to postgraduate research students, has led to a decline in study visa applications from countries such as Nigeria and India. A March 2024 report by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service highlighted the shift, noting that many prospective students are now seeking admission in alternative destinations.
UK hikes visa fees as new rates take effect April 9
metro
Ramadan ends in Nigeria, Sultan announces March 30 as Eid-el-Fitr
Ramadan ends in Nigeria, Sultan announces March 30 as Eid-el-Fitr
Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Abubakar Sa’ad, says the crescent moon marking the end of Ramadan fasting has been sighted.
The Sultan, who is president of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSIA), said in a broadcast on Saturday night, “Today marks the end of the Ramadan fasting and Sunday, March 30, is the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.”
metro
Embrace environmental sanitation during Eid-Fitr, LAGESC boss tells Lagosians
Embrace environmental sanitation during Eid-Fitr, LAGESC boss tells Lagosians
By Dada Jackson
The Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) has urged Lagosians to embrace proper environmental practices and obey the state’s environmental laws ahead of the Eid-l-Fitr festivities to mark the end of the Ramadan fast by Muslim faithful around the world.
Corps Marshal of the agency, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (retd), sounded the call at the agency’s command headquarters at Bolade-Oshodi.
He said, ‘‘The Ramadan fast is a testament to the willingness of Muslim faithful to adhere to the pillars of their faith and it is enjoined that cleanliness is an important religious practice in all faiths, which is why we admonish Lagosians to imbibe proper waste disposal and keep their environment clean during the celebration.”
Cole also advised Lagosians to make proper use of pedestrian bridges for their safety instead of crossing highways to prevent ‘hit and run’ cases by speeding motorists.
He equally read a riot act to miscreants in the habit of converting pedestrian bridges to sleeping areas which deters Lagosians in transit, pedestrians vowing that anyone caught w be made to face the state Environmental laws as amended
The KAI boss also revealed that the agency had recorded giant strides and would not relent in ridding pedestrian bridges across Lagos of criminal obstructions, traders and hawkers with daily arrests made alongside secured prosecutions by the Courts.
The Corps Marshal also warned Lagosians to desist from street trading, use of Styrofoam pack, hawking in traffic, patronage of cart pushers for refuse disposal, and erection of illegal structures on laybys, setbacks, medians, road verges, kerbs or around public schools in the state.
The KAI head said offenders would be made to face the consequences via prosecution in a competent court of appropriate jurisdiction.
-
Uncategorized2 days agoBreaking: Moon sighted in Saudi, UAE, others, Eid-Fitr holds Sunday
-
metro3 days agoEFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud
-
metro1 day agoRamadan ends in Nigeria, Sultan announces March 30 as Eid-el-Fitr
-
metro2 days agoFubara reacts as Ex-HOS, Nwaeke accuses him of bombing oil pipelines, Rivers Assembly
-
metro3 days agoWe welcome Gov Makinde’s U-turn on Shari’ah panel – MURIC
-
Opinion2 days agoBarbaric mass burning of innocents in Edo, by Farooq Kperogi
-
Uncategorized3 days agoObasanjo’s position on Rivers emergency rule hypocritical, says Presidency
-
metro2 days agoEx-Rivers HoS wife cries for help over husband’s safety