AGF withdraws ₦20bn fraud case of ex-AMCON boss Ahmed Kuru
A high court in Ikeja, Lagos, has struck out the N20 billion fraud case against Ahmed Kuru, former managing director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), after the federal government withdrew the charges.
Rahman Oshodi, the presiding judge, on Monday discharged Kuru following an application for withdrawal filed by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Kuru was arraigned on February 11 on a six-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, and transfer of property derived from an illegal act. He pleaded not guilty. On the same day, Sigma Golf Nigeria Limited, initially a co-defendant, pleaded guilty and was convicted.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had alleged that AMCON funds amounting to N20 billion were diverted through Heritage Bank for the benefit of Sigma Golf Nigeria Limited, which allegedly used the money to acquire Keystone Bank.
However, the trial never began. The AGF, in a notice of discontinuance dated July 24, requested to withdraw the case. At Monday’s proceedings, prosecution counsel V.J. Alma prayed the court to discharge the defendant, a request supported by Kuru’s counsel, Olasupo Shasore, who also asked for the release of his client’s bail bond and sureties.
In his ruling, Oshodi said: “It is well established in criminal jurisprudence that the prosecution possesses the prerogative to withdraw from the prosecution of any matter at any stage of the proceedings.”
“Given that withdrawal, the defendant is hereby discharged under Section 73(1)(i) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2015. See also Section 108(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015,” the judge added.
He ordered the immediate release of Kuru’s travel documents, the discharge of his sureties, and the cancellation of the notice to the Nigerian Immigration Service.
“The bond entered on behalf of the defendant is hereby discharged, and his sureties are released from their obligations thereunder,” Oshodi ruled. “Concomitantly, the notice to the Nigerian Immigration Service regarding the withholding of the defendant’s passport shall cease to have effect, and the defendant’s travel documents are hereby released. In the circumstances, this matter is hereby struck out.”
