GTB is using EFCC to attack Innocent Chukwuma – Spokesman

EFCC operatives arrestedthe chairman of Innoson Motors at his Enugu home on Tuesday, December 19, 2017.

Chukwuma was alleged to have forged some documents in a transaction involving his bankers, GTBank.

Subsequently, the anti-graft agency reportedly filed fraud charges against Innoson Motors’ boss.

In its response, Osigwe said that the alleged fraud charges filed by the EFCC is a ploy orchestrated to justify the Gestapo style of arrest used in bundling Dr Chukwuma out of his residence.

He also issued a statement saying “Our attention has been drawn to the fraud charges filed against Chief Dr Innocent Chukwuma OFR popularly known as Innoson by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. We deem it fit to alert the general public that the alleged fraud charges filed by the EFCC is a ploy orchestrated by the Commission to justify the Gestapo style of arrest used in bundling Dr Chukwuma out of his residence and furthermore the charge is an action taken in bad faith to change the narrative to portray Innoson in bad light and divert the attention of the public who have continued to condemn the illegal action taken by the Commission

“We have some reservations with the publications of the details of the suit in question on some online blogs because the charge which EFCC purports to file against has a temporary suit number, vis - temp/3315c/2017.

“This number is written with red pen at the top most right side of the charge published at EFCC's page. By this temporary number it means that the charge is not yet before any court in Lagos state. Also, it means that the charge cannot be acted upon by any court in Lagos state and it cannot be served on any party as well. As it is, the charge has not been filed. So while the media noise by the commission of filling fraud charges against Innoson? We believe that it is a Volte face.”

“Furthermore we are alarmed at how low EFCC could descend to be used by GTB to destroy the Nigeria’s foremost entrepreneur. We have it now in Good authority that there is a grand conspiracy by an International competitor of Innoson Vehicles who have conspired with a financial institution to pull down Innoson Vehicles at all cost because of the latest increase of patronage of Innoson Vehicles by the Federal Government.

“But we are amazed that EFCC, a Federal Government Agency who is supposed at all times to defend indigenous Nigerian companies who are working hard to make Nigeria great will allow itself to be used as a tool to kill and destroy these companies,” he added.

Particulars of Offence

Osigwe also called on Nigeria to ask EFCC if GTB as a bank has any license to import motorcycle spare parts or CKD.

He said “a cursory look at the charges filed by EFCC at court is both laughable and constitutes a National embarrassment. The motorcycles being deemed the property of GTB were ordered by Innoson from its manufacturers and suppliers with a loan from GTB. Under letter of credit transaction, in international trade, bills of ladings are consigned to Banks not because the Banks – consignees – are the owners of the goods but rather to ensure that the seller is paid and the buyer receives the goods.”

Adding that “Mere consignment or endorsement of a bill of lading does not confer title in the goods covered by the bill of lading to either the consignee or the endorsee. Where consignment or endorsement of a bill of lading is intended as a security for loan, consignment or endorsement in such circumstance does not transfer title in the goods to the consignee or the endorsee.

“All Innoson’s letter of credit transactions, through GTB, where confirmed LCs. In letter of credit transactions (LC), particularly but not exclusively confirmed LC, the term is cash against documents. Shipping documents are not released by the advising/correspondent Bank to the Issuing Bank until the Issuing Bank pays for the goods. At all material times, Innoson paid 25% of every LC value before it was opened.

“The media hype of EFCC portrayed Innoson and its promoter as having stolen goods belonging to GTB. We note that attempt of EFCC to get the courts to retry a matter Innoson had already secured judgment on.

“Till date, EFCC never told Innoson why he was arrested except to say on pages of newspapers that he was arrested because of his fraud at SEC and forgery of documents to obtain tax waivers.

ALSO READ:Reports against Innoson boss, Chukwuma false - Spokesman

“While we await to be served the court papers, we want to advice the EFCC that if there is any complaint by GTB to EFCC, Innoson should be invited by the commission to clear its name, EFCC will then conducts its investigation before taking matter to court.”

According to reports, Innocent Chukwuma, the Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Motors, an administrative bail.