The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has revealed that it has recovered over N2.1trillion from debtors despite facing several challenges since its inception.
The corporation disclosed that it currently has more than 2,000 cases in court.
AMCON’s Head of Corporate Communications Department, Mr Jude Nwauzor, revealed all these during a parley with journalists on Friday in Lagos.
He emphasised the importance of the media in AMCON’s debt recovery efforts, noting that many debtors often try to tarnish the corporation’s image in an attempt to avoid their financial obligations.
While addressing the issue of the N227.6 billion owed by Arik Air Limited (in Receivership) and its owner, Sir Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide, AMCON reaffirmed its commitment to recovering the debts despite on-going legal battles and allegations of mismanagement.
According to Nwauzor, “These are debtors who have contributed to killing the Nigerian economy. The media must not allow them to eat their cake and have it.”
Nwauzor stressed that AMCON’s task of debt recovery has been arduous, with some debtors determined to avoid repayment through legal delays and smear campaigns.
He held that one of the most significant cases involves Arik Air, which owes AMCON N227.6 billion, stating that the airline’s debts were transferred to AMCON by various banks due to its non-performance, and the corporation currently holds a total debt of N455.17 billion from several of Sir Arumemi-Ikhide’s companies, including Arik Air, Rockson Nigeria Limited, Ojemai Farms Limited, and Ojemai Investment Limited.
Despite these challenges, Nwauzor insisted that AMCON is determined to recover the debts, regardless of the personal attacks on its staff and management.
