New twist as Innoson boss files N200bn suit against EFCC

There has been a new twist to the saga involving Innocent Chukwuma, CEO of Innoson Nigeria Limited, Guaranty Trust Bank, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as Chukwuma has filed a N200 billion lawsuit against the EFCC.

According to a statement issued by Cornel Osigwe, spokesperson to the Innoson boss,  the lawsuit has been filed at the Enugu high court by Joseph N. Mbadugha of McCarthy Mbadugha & Co, the counsel to Innocent Chukwuma.

Chukwuma is suing the EFCC for defamation, malicious falsehood and unlawful imprisonment.

The Innoson boss had been arrested by the capital market and insurance fraud unit of the EFCC on December 19 on the grounds that he resisted arrest and used forged documents to get tax waivers.

But Osigwe insisted that at no time did Chukwuma receive any such invitation nor was there any time he jumped an administrative bail granted by the EFCC.

Read also: FUEL SCARCITY: Despite persistent queues, NNPC claims normalcy has returned

“Innoson is a public figure and a well-known industrialist of international repute. There is no how he would be invited by the EFCC and he would ignore or refuse to honour it,” Osigwe said in the statement.

He also said he did not have any recent issue with the EFCC.

“The last issue Innoson had with EFCC was an invitation extended to him in 2012 based on a complaint against him by Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB). Innoson honoured this invitation and subsequently EFCC filed a charge against him at the Lagos high court. The charge was subsequently struck out.

“However, Innocent Chukwuma and Innoson Nigeria Ltd appealed against the order striking out on the basis that it ought to be dismissal and not striking out. The appeal- appeal no: CA/I/1330Cm/2017 is till date still pending at the court of Appeal Lagos State. Since then EFCC has never invited him.

“On this premise, Chief Innocent Chukwuma (OFR) and Innoson Nigeria Ltd are claiming against EFCC; N30 billion exemplary damages; N30 billion for assault and battery; N30 billion for false imprisonment; N40 billion for injury to feelings- mental pains and anxiety arising from malicious falsehood and or defamatory publications of the defendants against the plaintiffs; N50 billion for injury to plaintiff’s reputation arising from the said publications; N20 billion for general damages.

“An order that the published words complained of; be retracted by the defendants and such retraction be published in two national newspapers, including the Punch Newspapers”, he said.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now