A Lagos court has officially accepted a Court of Appeal judgment confirming AMCON's legal authority over Arik Air. The ruling came during the ₦76 billion fraud trial of former AMCON boss Ahmed Kuru and four others.
Justice Mojisola Dada admitted the certified court document as evidence on Tuesday. This happened while the prosecution's fourth witness was undergoing cross-examination.
The appellate decision overturns an earlier ruling that Arik founder Sir Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide had used to challenge AMCON's appointment. It clears the path for the receivership to stand.
Kuru faces trial alongside Kamilu Omokhide, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, Union Bank Plc, and Super Bravo Limited.
They're accused of conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office, and mishandling Arik assets.
The EFCC's case hinges largely on the dismantling of aircraft 5N-JEA. Officials valued the plane at $31.5 million.
Prosecutors claim the teardown was illegal and harmed the airline badly. They've built their fraud allegations around this central claim.
But Bawa Usman Kaltungo, the EFCC's Lagos director, made a critical concession under pressure. He admitted investigators found zero evidence linking the aircraft sale to the defendants' personal accounts.
Defence counsel Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, SAN, pressed hard during questioning.
Kaltungo acknowledged no money had reached anyone's wallet from the transaction.
The witness maintained his view that dismantling the aircraft was improper. Yet he couldn't establish that Kuru or Ilegbodu gained anything personally.
Defence lawyers countered with documents showing the aircraft owner had approved the dismantling. They challenged the prosecution's illegality claims head-on.
Kaltungo questioned whether these documents were genuine. Still, the defence insisted the operation was completely lawful.
The defence team went further, presenting a Federal High Court judgment supporting their position. It involved Captain Samuel Caulcrick and Cargo Airlines, the contractors who dismantled the plane.
AMCON board resolutions authorizing the establishment of NG Eagle were also entered into evidence. These documents showed the board had approved share transfers and allocations.
Justice Dada has scheduled the next hearing for July 7, 2026. The court will consider an interlocutory application filed by Omokhide.
Full trial proceedings resume October 26 through October 29, 2026. The case continues to attract significant legal attention.
