- The arrest of the founder on Nigeria's first indigenous car manufacturer, Innocent Chukwuma by the EFCC has continued to generate controversies
- And in its reaction, the Innoson Group faulted EFCC's claim that Chukwuma was arrested because he refused to honour the EFCC's call
- The company said Mr Chukwuma was not at any time invited by the EFCC
Innoson motor has reacted to the arrest of the company's chairman, Innocent Chukwuma by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, December 19, at his Enugu residence.
Chukwuma who is also the founder of the first Indigenous car manufacturing company in Nigeria was accused by the EFCC of not honouring an investigation extended to him by the anti graft agency.
The EFCC while briefing the public of the arrest on Facebook said:
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"A well known industrialist Chief Innocent Chukwuma popularly known by his company's name, INNOSON, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC . He was picked up at about 11am at his Savage Crescent , GRA Enugu residence today Tuesday December 19, 2017.
"His arrest followed his refusal to honour invitation by the Commission having earlier jumped an administrative bail granted him in a case being investigated by the Capital Market and Insurance Fraud Unit of the Commission's Lagos office.
"Chukwuma rather than honoring invitation by the EFCC, mobilized six truck loads of thugs pretending to be staff of his company to his residence, where they manhandled EFCC operatives.
"It took reinforcement from the Enugu office of the EFCC to effect the arrest of the industrialist who is currently being grilled by a team of investigators, the anti graft agency added.
However, Cornel Osigwe, head, corporate communications, Innoson Group disagreed with the EFCC's account.
In his reaction, Osigewe in a statement made available on Facebook claimed his boss was never invited by the EFCC at any time.
The statement read:
"Our attention has been drawn on a tweet by EFCC on its official twitter handle claiming that the gestapo kind of arrest of Dr Innocent Chukwuma (OFR) today at his Enugu residence was because he didn't honour an invitation from the commission sent to him.
"This claim by the commission is not factual and it tends to mislead the public and bring the personality and character of Dr Innocent Chukwuma to disrepute. Hence we want to state the true position so as to inform the general public the truth about this matter.
"EFCC never at any time invited Dr Innocent Chukwuma either in writing or through any other means. We are aware that EFCC investigated GTB complaint against Innoson in 2012.
"During the investigation he was invited and he honoured the invitation. After the investigation EFCC filed a charge against him at Lagos State High Court. The charge was subsequently struck out. However Dr Innocent Chukwuma and Innoson Nigeria Ltd appealed against the order striking out the case on the basis that it ought to be dismissed and not struck out.
"The appeal - appeal no. Ca/l/1330cm/2017 Is till date still pending at the Court of Appeal Lagos division. Till date, EFCC never invited Dr Innocent Chukwuma again.
'On this recent arrest, Dr Innocent Chukwuma (OFR) has not been told officially the purpose of his arrest and he demands to know why," he added.
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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had earlier reported that operatives believed to be from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested Innocent Chukwuma the founder and chairman of Innoson motors.
Chukwuma was arrested at his residence in Enugu around 9a.m. on Tuesday, December 19.
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Source: Naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Wednesday, 20 December 2017