Arik Air: EFCC Detains AMCON Official Over N120 Billion Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained the Receiver Manager appointed by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) for Arik Nigeria Limited, Kamilu Omokide.

Naija News reports that Omokide was detained over alleged misappropriation and diversion of about N120 billion.

He was detained by the anti-graft agency alongside one Captain Samuel Caulcrick in connection with alleged illegal sale and tearing down of a $41m CRJ 1000 aircraft, which was operated by Arik Air.

According to documents obtained by The PUNCH on Friday, the detention of the two top executives was sequel to a petition written by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), who is a solicitor to Arik Nigeria Limited.

The petition detailed how there had been alleged financial fraud and sales of assets worth over N120bn.

The petition, addressed to the EFCC Chairman, and dated April 27, read, “We are solicitors to Arik Nigeria Limited (hereinafter referred to as “our client”), on whose behalf and specific instructions we write you. Our client operates an airline in the aviation industry by offering air transportation services for passengers and cargo in Nigeria and has been in business since 2006.

“In compliance with an ex parte order of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria appointed a receiver manager to manage our client’s assets due to its financial obligation to some banks.

“Pursuant to the said ex parte order, the said receiver manager has been overseeing the affairs of our client’s assets pursuant from 2017 to date. In the course of running the airline business the receiver has engaged in financial mismanagement, diversion of monies, sales of assets and misappropriation of funds belonging to Arik Airline. () ”

The petition listed the details of the alleged diversion of money, sale of assets and misappropriation of funds.