News
Alleged fraud: Court sets aside bench warrant against ex-AMCON

An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Thursday set aside a bench warrant issued against the Former Managing Director of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, Ahmed Kuru.
Kuru is facing trial over alleged N76 billion and $31.5 million fraud.
Other defendants are former Receiver Manager of Arik Airline Ltd, Kamilu Omokide, Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Captain Roy Ilegbodu, Union Bank Ltd and Super Bravo Ltd.
They were to be arraigned for alleged theft, abuse of office, making false statements to public officers and stealing by dishonestly taking the property of another, proffered against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Justice Mojisola Dada set aside the bench warrant against the second defendant, following his presence in court on Thursday, and a motion on notice filed by his counsel, Mr Olasupo Shasore, SAN.
Justice Dada, in her ruling, set aside the bench warrant in view of the second defendant’s presence in court and adjourned the case until January 20, 2025, the earlier scheduled date for arraignment.
“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 no objection by the prosecution, the second defendant’s application of motion on notice is hereby granted and the bench warrant set aside,” the judge said
Earlier, Shasore, in his motion on notice dated December 12, noted that he had signed an undertaking and assured the court that he would produce his client for arraignment on January 20, 2025 and also made sure that he attended his trial.
EFCC Counsel, Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN), did not object to the application since the counsel to the second defendant had signed an undertaking to produce him for arraignment.
“My lord, if the learned silk is assuring the court that the second defendant will be available on January 20 for his arraignment, we will not object to the application.
“We could not contact him the ways others were contacted and his counsel signed an undertaking that he will produce him, knowing the consequences of the undertaking, the prosecution will not object to the revocation of the bench warrant against the second defendant,” Shittu said.
NAN reports that the court had on December 3 issued a bench warrant against the former AMCON MD, following his absence in court of arraignment.
The court had said that the bench warrant would be revoked at the next adjourned date if the second defendant was present in court.
The EFCC accused the defendants of abuse of office and stealing property belonging to Arik Airline.
The anti graft agency alleged that sometime in 2011, with the intention of causing and/or inducing unwarranted sale of Arik Air loans and bank guarantees, made false statements to the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria regarding Arik Air Ltd’s performing loans and later transferred the sum of N71 billion to AMCON.
The commission also alleged that Kuru, Omokide an Ilegbodu sometime in 2022, fraudulently converted to their use of NG Eagle Ltd the total sum of N4.9 billion.
The anti-graft agency also accused the CEO of Arik of stealing the sum of N22.5 million by fraudulently converting the same to the use of Magashi Ali Mohammed, property of Arik Air Ltd.
The EFCC also accused the defendants of intentionally authorizing the tear down and destruction of 5N-JEA with Serial No. 15058 valued at $31.5 million, an arbitrary act which was prejudicial to the economic stability of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Arik Air Limited.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 73, 96, 278(1) and 278(6) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.
News
Akpabio drags Natasha to court over satirical apology

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has petitioned the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete a satirical apology she posted on her social media pages.
On 27 April, Akpoti-Uduaghan shared a short video in which she mockingly apologised to Akpabio, claiming it was for not allowing him to have his way with her.
Akpoti-Uduaghan stated she was ‘sorry for the crime of maintaining dignity and self-respect’ and for rejecting the advances of the Senate President, whom she implied believed no one could refuse him.
The dispute between the two senators stems from an altercation in the Senate chamber over seating arrangements.
This led to Akpoti-Uduaghan initiating a suit that sought to stop the Senate from investigating her for alleged misconduct.
In particular, the senator asked the court to prevent the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen, from taking any disciplinary action against her.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was later suspended following her accusations against the Senate President, accusing him of sexual harassment.
The presiding judge, Justice Binta Nyako, on 4 April 2025, restrained all parties involved in the suit from making public comments about the ongoing case.
Meanwhile, Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, has filed a fresh application asking the court to direct Akpoti-Uduaghan to delete the video, arguing it violated a judge’s directive.
In his application, Akpabio’s lawyer also requested the court to order Akpoti-Uduaghan to remove the post from all her social media accounts.
Additionally, Ogunwumiju urged the court to mandate Akpoti-Uduaghan to publish a written apology in at least two national newspapers and file an affidavit confirming her compliance.
News
Real reason APGA snubbed Obi, adopts Tinubu

Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra on Thursday announced that the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has officially adopted President Bola Tinubu as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
Mr Soludo made the announcement at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka during the President’s working visit to the state.
According Mr Soludo, APGA and the All Progressives Congress, APC, will work together, as both parties share a common belief in progressivism.
Mr Soludo said: “Progressives are working together.”
Earlier, the President described Mr Soludo as a competent governor.
While inaugurating several major projects executed by the Soludo administration, the President described Mr Soludo as a friend and a visionary leader.
He said: “I am honoured to be here. I commend my friend, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who is a visionary and competent leader for the work he has been doing in Anambra State.”
The projects set to be commissioned by the President include Emeka Anyaoku Center at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, the new Government House, the Solution Fun City, and the 8-lane Aroma–Government House Boulevard in Awka.
News
Senate endorses Tinubu’s full tax reform package

On Thursday, the Senate passed the final two tax reform bills submitted by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, completing the approval of all four proposed laws.
This comes a day after the Senate had already passed two of the bills, with the remaining pair receiving the green light today.
The legislation will now undergo harmonization by a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives before being presented to President Tinubu for assent.
The four executive bills include the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, and the Nigeria Tax Bill—all aimed at overhauling and modernizing Nigeria’s tax system.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in an earlier statement, praised the move, calling it “a step in the right direction” that would significantly improve governance and transform the country’s revenue collection processes.
In another major development, Nigeria has cleared all outstanding debts to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), officially exiting the list of debtor nations.
As of 2023, Nigeria owed the IMF $1.61 billion. However, under a repayment strategy initiated by President Tinubu’s administration, the debt was reduced to $472 million by January 2025 and has now been fully repaid as of May 2025.
This milestone was confirmed in the latest update on the IMF’s website, and reiterated by O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Engagement and Strategy, via a post on his account.
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