After Court Verdict On Innoson, EFCC Vows To Arrest Innocent Chukwuma

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has vowed to arrest Mr Innocent Chukwuma, the Chairman of Innoson Motors Nigeria Limited, after a High Court in Lagos struck out the Commission’s fraud charges against him.

Justice Olusola Williams had struck out the four count charge of conspiracy to obtain by false pretense, obtaining by false pretense, stealing and forgery leveled against Mr Chukwuma after the EFCC failed to produce him in court during a hearing at the Ikeja branch of the Court on Wednesday.

The EFCC had filed the charges against Chukwuma and his company over a transaction involving them and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.

In the suit, the Commission accused Innoson of trying to fraudulently and falsely obtain containers of motorcycle spare parts and properties belonging to GTBank from Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd in Apapa, Lagos.

But ruling today, Justice Williams said, “The prosecution is well aware that it is its duty to produce a defendant in court.

“This court is not inclined to continue to waste the tax of Lagos taxpayers. This court cannot continue to waste precious time calling a case that is going nowhere.

“It is a criminal matter that can be instituted anytime. I advise that the prosecution gets its acts together before coming to court. I am inclined to strike out this case and I so do,” said the judge.

Reacting after the ruling, however, the EFCC vowed to arrest Mr Chukwuma on the said fraud charges and make him have his day in court.