The other defendants include Kamilu Omokide, the former Receiver Manager of Arik Air Ltd; Captain Roy Ilegbodu, the airline’s CEO; as well as Super Bravo Ltd and Union Bank PLC.
The defendants were brought before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, where they faced six counts related to theft, abuse of office, and stealing by dishonestly taking the property of others. All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The charges include the following:
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Count One: Alleging that Union Bank Nigeria Plc, in 2011, made false statements to AMCON regarding Arik Air’s loans, leading to the transfer of a bogus amount of N71 billion to AMCON.
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Count Two: Accusing Kuru, Omokide, and Ilegbodu of fraudulently converting N4.9 billion belonging to Arik Air to the benefit of NG Eagle Limited in 2022.
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Count Five: Alleging that Omokide, Kuru, and Ilegbodu authorized the destruction of an aircraft (5N-JEA) valued at $31.5 million in February 2022, a move deemed prejudicial to Arik Air’s financial standing and the country’s economic stability.
During proceedings, the defense counsel for the first and third defendants, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, informed the court of pending bail applications and requested that the defendants be granted bail on liberal terms, citing their previous cooperation with the EFCC. However, EFCC Counsel Wahab Shittu, SAN, opposed the application, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges, particularly the risk of the defendants fleeing the country. He requested that their international passports be seized and called for accelerated hearings.
Counsel for the second defendant, Olasupo Shasore, SAN, also filed a motion for bail, urging that his client be granted bail on self-recognition. However, Shittu opposed this, pointing out the defendant’s prior history of absconding and the potential risk of non-attendance in court.
After considering the arguments, Justice Dada granted the defendants bail in the sum of N20 million each, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be gainfully employed and provide proof of identification. Additionally, the defendants were ordered to submit their international passports to the court registrar.
The case was adjourned to March 17, 18, and 19, 2025 for the commencement of trial.
