EFCC Witness Admits No Money Was Traced to Ahmed Kuru, Other Defendants in Arik Air Trial
By Ranti Thomas
Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on May 19, 2026, presided over a fresh twist in the ongoing Arik Air fraud trial after an EFCC witness admitted under cross-examination that no money was traced to former AMCON Managing Director, Ahmed Kuru, or any of the other defendants in the case.
The admission came during the continuation of testimony by the fourth prosecution witness, Mr Bawa Usman Kaltungo of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the high-profile trial involving Kuru, former Arik Air Receiver-Manager Kamilu Omokide, Arik Air Managing Director Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, Union Bank Plc and Super Bravo Limited.
The defendants are facing charges linked to the management of Arik Air during its receivership under the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), following a petition reportedly filed by senior lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) on behalf of airline founder Sir Johnson Arumemi-Ikide.
Under cross-examination led by defence counsel, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), the EFCC witness confirmed that investigators did not establish any financial gain or trace any diverted funds to the accused persons throughout the course of the investigation.
Kaltungo also told the court that key decisions taken by the Receiver-Manager and Arik Air management team were carried out with the approval of AMCON’s board, a position that appeared to contradict parts of his earlier testimony.
The development followed the presentation of a document allegedly issued by AMCON to the EFCC Chairman, which the defence said confirmed that the actions under scrutiny were officially sanctioned by the corporation overseeing the airline’s receivership.
Although the witness said he was not aware of the document because it was not addressed to him personally, he conceded that the defendants acted in official capacities as agents or representatives of AMCON during the period in question.
He further confirmed that Omokide, who held a single share in NG Eagle as a nominee, did not receive any personal financial benefit from the airline’s asset sale, adding that proceeds from the transaction were paid directly to AMCON.
The defence team questioned why AMCON was not included as a defendant if it had approved the disputed transactions, arguing that the accused persons were merely executing statutory duties on behalf of a federal institution.
The court also heard background details on AMCON’s intervention in Arik Air, which was initiated by the Federal Government to prevent the collapse of the airline at a time it was struggling with massive operational and financial challenges.
At the peak of its crisis, Arik Air was reportedly burdened with debts exceeding ₦300 billion, alongside flight disruptions, unpaid obligations, and declining operational performance.
Justice Dada subsequently adjourned the case to June 25 and July 7, 2026, for continuation of cross-examination.