More trouble for Innoson boss Chukwuma, as EFCC files fraud charges against him

Following his release on bail after being picked up in Enugu by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the commission has now filed a four-count charge of fraud against Innocent Chukwuma, chairman of Innoson Motors, and Charles, his younger brother.

The anti-graft agency had accused him of obtaining containers of motorcycles spare parts by false pretence between 2009 and July 2011 in Lagos.

The goods which were said to be property of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, were allegedly obtained from Mitsui O.S.K Lines Limited in Apapa.

The EFCC said the duo “with intent to defraud induced the staff of Mitsui O.S.K and Maersk Line Limited to deliver” to them, through their clearing agents, the motorcycle spare parts, molds of spare parts, steel structures and raw materials called polyvinlchlorid, imported from China.

The accused were said to have falsely pretended that they were authorised by GTB to clear the goods and take delivery of them.

Read also: INNOSON: GTB in trouble as Nigerians rally against bank

The EFCC, soon after granting him bail, had issued a statement saying that he was being investigated for fraud, amid the widespread backlash following his arrest.

“Chief Chukwuma and his brother, Charles Chukwuma (who is still at large), are being investigated by the Insurance and Capital Market Fraud Section of the Commission’s office in Lagos over matters bordering on N1, 478, 366, 859.66 fraud and forgery.

“The industrialist, among other infractions, allegedly used forged documents to secure tax waivers”, read the statement signed by Wilson Uwujaren, spokesman of the agency.

Chukwuma has continued to maintain his innocence.

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