Bet, millions of Nigerians don’t know much about Arik Airline founder, Arumemi Johnson-Ikhide. We can tell you for free that Mr. Arumemi-Johnson worked for Negris Engineering Limited, an electrical engineering firm, for 18 years, rising through the ranks to become executive director.

Arumemi Johnson-Ikhide

He left the company in 2000 to form Rockson Engineering Limited. Shortly after forming Rockson, he was hired by the Rivers State Government to build the multibillion naira gas- powered Omoku power plant.

In 2002, Mr. Arumemi-Johnson bought a Hawker jet aircraft for personal use. He then incorporated Arik Air Limited on August 2nd, 2004. Arik began operations on October 30, 2006 after Mr. Arumeni-Johnson paid out N900 million to acquire the headquarters and other facilities of the bankrupt Nigerian Airways in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.

In 2006, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission investigated Arik and its owners following petitions that former Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State allegedly laundered his state’s funds through Mr. Arumeni-Ikhide and that it was the laundered money that was used to set up the airline.

And while investigating the allegations, the EFCC invited Mr. Arumemi-Ikhide for questioning. Searches were conducted in the offices of Arik Air and Rockson Engineering in Lagos and Port Harcourt respectively while documents relating to contracts and foreign exchange transfers were seized.

Although the report of the investigation alleged wrongdoing, no charges were brought against Mr. Arumeni-Ikhide.

On February 9, this year, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) took control of the airline following the company’s inability to service its N325billion debt.

– Source: PremiumTimes