The Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has granted permission to the former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru, to travel to London, United Kingdom, for urgent medical treatment.
Justice Mojisola Dada, who presided over the case, also ordered the temporary release of Kuru’s international passport to facilitate the trip. Although the nature of the illness was not disclosed, Kuru’s counsel, Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya (SAN designate), described the request as one of “extreme urgency.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Wahab Shittu (SAN), did not oppose the application but raised concerns over an intelligence report suggesting attempts by some of the defendants to dispose of aircraft tied to the ongoing criminal trial involving Arik Air. Shittu questioned whether the medical trip was a cover to facilitate the alleged transactions, particularly as some of the aircraft were reportedly located in France.
The EFCC had earlier arraigned Kuru and four others in January on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, abuse of office, and theft involving ₦76 billion and $31.5 million allegedly defrauded from Arik Air. Other defendants include Kamilu Omokide (former Receiver Manager of Arik Air), Captain Roy Ilegbodu (CEO of Arik Air), Union Bank of Nigeria PLC, and Super Bravo Limited.
Union Bank is charged with making false statements to a public officer, while the remaining four face charges ranging from dishonest conversion of funds to the arbitrary teardown of a multi-million dollar aircraft—5N-JEA with Serial No. 15058—allegedly worth $31.5 million.
In response to the EFCC’s concerns, Badejo-Okusanya emphasized that the intelligence report did not implicate her client, who is traveling to the UK and not France. Counsel to Union Bank, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), also dismissed the EFCC’s claim as speculative and unsupported by evidence before the court.
Justice Dada acknowledged the concerns raised but declined to issue any restraining orders on the assets in question, citing the lack of documentary evidence.
All defendants had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of ₦20 million each, with one surety apiece. Their international passports were initially deposited with the court as part of the bail conditions.
The matter is expected to resume upon Kuru’s return, with the EFCC maintaining its stance to prosecute all defendants for offences it says violate Sections 73, 96, 278(1), and 278(6) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
