A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has struck out the criminal case against former Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru, after the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) withdrew the charges.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, presiding over the matter on Monday, granted the AGF’s July 24 application to discontinue the prosecution. Kuru was arraigned on February 11 on a six-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, theft, and the transfer of property derived from an illegal act. He had pleaded not guilty.
Sigma Golf Nigeria Limited, originally a co-defendant, pleaded guilty on the day of arraignment and was convicted. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had alleged that ₦20 billion belonging to AMCON was diverted through Heritage Bank for Sigma Golf’s benefit, with the funds allegedly used to acquire Keystone Bank.
In his ruling, Justice Oshodi affirmed that under Nigerian criminal law, prosecutors have the discretion to withdraw charges at any stage before judgment.
“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,” he said.
The court discharged Kuru under Section 73(1)(i) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2015, and Section 108(2)(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Justice Oshodi also ordered the immediate release of Kuru’s travel documents, the discharge of his sureties, and the termination of any restrictions placed on his movement.
“The bond entered on behalf of the defendant is hereby discharged, and his sureties are released from their obligations thereunder,” the judge ruled.
With this decision, the high-profile fraud case that had drawn public and media attention since February has officially come to an end.
