The Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos has set aside a bench warrant previously issued against Ahmed Kuru, former Managing Director of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), in connection with an alleged ₦76 billion fraud case.
Justice Mojisola Dada revoked the arrest warrant after carefully considering submissions from Kuru’s legal counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Olasupo Shasore.
In her ruling, the judge stated, “In view of the attendance of the second defendant in court and the undertaken signed by the learned silk to ensure his attendance in court at any given time and with no objection from the prosecution, the second defendant’s application of motion on notice is hereby granted and the bench warrant set aside.”
The legal drama originated on December 3rd when the court initially issued the bench warrant following Kuru’s absence during a scheduled court arraignment.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had claimed that Kuru had jumped administrative bail and could not be contacted.
Shasore submitted an application dated December 12th, providing an undertaken to the court, assuring that he would produce his client for arraignment on January 20, 2025, and guarantee Kuru’s attendance at the trial.
EFCC counsel Wahab Shittu (SAN) did not oppose the application, telling the court, “We could not contact him the way others were contacted and now that his counsel has signed an undertaken that he will produce him, knowing the consequences of the undertaken, the prosecution will not be objecting to the court revoking the bench warrant.”
The case involves Kuru and several other defendants, including Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Managing Director of Arik Air, Kamilu Omokide, the receiver manager of Arik, Union Bank plc, and Super Bravo Limited.
The EFCC has filed a six-count charge against the defendants, alleging abuse of office, stealing by fraudulent conversion, and making false statements to a public officer.
The court has adjourned the case until January 20, 2025, for the arraignment of the defendants.
