EFCC Witness Says FG Ordered AMCON Rescue of Arik
The trial over the controversial intervention in Arik Air continued at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, with the EFCC presenting details of how the Federal Government approved AMCON’s takeover of the airline.
Testifying before Justice Mojisola Dada, EFCC investigator Bawa Usman Kaltungo told the court that AMCON acted on clear directives from top government authorities.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN), the witness read from official Minutes and a Board Extract of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Committee of Governors.
According to the document presented in court, the Board agreed that the CBN should implement Federal Government instructions to intervene in Arik Air’s operations.
The Minutes also showed that N1.5 billion was approved as working capital support for the airline, with a condition that AMCON would provide periodic financial reports to the Committee of Governors.
Kaltungo stated that the then Managing Director of AMCON, Ahmed Lawan Kuru, briefed the Board that Arik Air accounted for about 60 percent of Nigeria’s passenger traffic and was at risk of shutting down within two weeks without urgent support.
The witness read that Kuru informed the meeting that large payments had been made to the airline’s technical partner, Messrs Lufthansa, who later exited Nigeria, suggesting that the airline’s promoter, Sir Johnson Arumemi-Ikide, had stepped back from active involvement.
He further told the court that Kuru engaged three major commercial banks that were creditors to Arik Air, and the general position was that the CBN needed to step in to prevent collapse.
The Minutes also reflected concerns raised by the Federal Ministry of Finance that Standard Chartered Bank had threatened to repossess two aircraft over unpaid lease obligations.
In addition, the airline’s insurance cover was reportedly close to expiration, creating the risk that Arik Air could be grounded if renewal was not secured immediately.
Kaltungo read that both the Ministers of Finance and Aviation considered the airline too critical to the nation’s economy to be allowed to fail.
The court heard that the matter was escalated to the Presidency, where a meeting was held to deliberate on Arik’s situation.
According to the witness, the then Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), was briefed and directed that immediate measures be taken to stabilise the airline.
The EFCC is prosecuting Kuru and others following a petition filed by Femi Falana on behalf of the promoter of Arik Air.
The court also heard that one of the co-defendants, Kamilu Alaba Omokide, petitioned the Attorney-General during the investigation.
According to the witness, the petition alleged harassment and sought to stop the probe. It reportedly included 39 attachments and was accompanied by a legal opinion signed by the Solicitor-General.
He told the court that copies of the petition were received by the head of the investigative team.
Other defendants in the case include Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Union Bank Plc and Super Bravo Limited.
Defence counsel indicated that objections to certain issues raised during testimony would be addressed at the final stage of the trial.
Justice Dada adjourned proceedings until February 26, 2026, for continuation of hearing.