The lawyer for Ahmed Lawal Kuru, the former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), pledging to produce his client in court for arraignment.
This follows charges of mismanaging N125 billion belonging to Arik Air Limited, which Kuru faces alongside other individuals and entities, including Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.
Olasub Shasore, SAN, the legal counsel representing Kuru, addressed the EFCC Chairman in a letter dated December 3, 2024.
In the letter, Shasore explained Kuru’s absence at the court hearing on December 3, noting that neither he nor his client had been notified of the scheduled arraignment.
“Neither we nor our client had been informed of the adjourned date,” Shasore stated.
Kuru, who had been summoned to court on that date, was notably absent, prompting the judge to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.
The charges against Kuru, which were filed by the EFCC on October 29, 2024, relate to the alleged mismanagement of N125 billion in funds that belonged to Arik Air.
The six-count charge was filed at the Ikeja Judicial Division of the Lagos State High Court.
The charges list Kuru as the second defendant, alongside Kamilu Alaba Omokide, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, and Super Bravo Limited as co-defendants.
The EFCC alleges that the defendants misused Arik Air’s funds, contributing to the financial troubles of the airline.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, Kuru’s lawyer has requested that the bench warrant against his client be suspended.
In his letter to the EFCC, Shasore promised that Kuru would be present at the next court hearing.
“We undertake to ensure our client’s presence in court on the next adjourned date,” Shasore wrote.
He further explained that their initial absence from court was due to a lack of proper notification.
Upon learning of the arraignment, Shasore and his team appeared in court to explain the absence and to reassure the court of Kuru’s willingness to comply.
The EFCC, at the request of the prosecution, had earlier secured the bench warrant against Kuru after his no-show.
However, the court allowed the possibility of suspending the enforcement of the warrant if the prosecution agreed to do so.
Shasore’s letter emphasized that his client would cooperate fully with the legal process.
“We respectfully request that you suspend the execution of the bench warrant,” Shasore wrote, appealing to the EFCC for leniency.
The letter was copied to Wahab Shittu, SAN, the EFCC prosecution counsel handling the case.
The absence of Kuru at the arraignment has raised concerns about the progress of the high-profile case.
Sources close to the EFCC have expressed their hope that the legal process will continue without further delays.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of prominent individuals and a large sum of money.
If convicted, Kuru and the other defendants could face severe penalties, including imprisonment and financial restitution.
The EFCC’s investigation into the mismanagement of Arik Air’s funds has been ongoing for several months.
In the past, Kuru has maintained that he acted within the boundaries of his responsibilities at AMCON, but these charges suggest otherwise.
The case’s outcome will have significant implications for corporate governance in Nigeria, especially in the management of public assets.
The EFCC has long been under scrutiny for its handling of high-profile cases, and this investigation is seen as a test of the commission’s ability to bring influential figures to justice.
Kuru’s absence from court and the subsequent bench warrant have sparked debate about the effectiveness of the country’s legal system in dealing with financial crimes.
Supporters of Kuru argue that his absence was not intentional and that the situation could be resolved promptly.
However, critics see the case as another example of Nigeria’s struggles with corruption and accountability in public office.
The EFCC has pledged to continue pursuing the case with diligence and transparency.
Despite the legal challenges, Kuru’s legal team is determined to clear his name and resolve the matter in court.
