Hearing of warrant of arrest against Innocent Chukwuma, Chief Executive Officer of Innosson Motors, before a Federal High Court, Lagos, today, has been adjourned till May 22.
Tuesday’s adjournment was at the instance of Innocent Chukwuma’s lawyer, Mr. Macharty Mbadugha, who has sought for adjournment on the ground that he is before an Appeal Court.
The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), has filed a criminal charge of forgery before the court, against Mr. Innocent, his company, Innoson Nigeria Limited, and four others.
Others in the said criminal charge are: Charles Chukwu, Maximian Chukwura, Mitsui Osk Lines and Annajekwu Sunny.
The AGF in the charge marked FHC/L/565C/2015, alleged that all the accused persons, between January, 2010 and April 2011, at Apapa Wharf, Lagos, conspired amongst themselves to wit, falsification of shipping documents which they deposited with Mitsui Osk Lines Lagos, which was used as collateral for the purpose of clearance of raw materials polyinlchloride (PVC), for the production of roof ceiling and other imported item.
In the amended four-counts charge, filed before the court by Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Saidu Diri, it was alleged that, Innoson Nigeria Limited, Innocent Chukwuma, Charles Chukwu, Maximian Chukwura, Mitsui Osk Lines and Annajekwu Sunny between January, 2010, and April 2011, at Apapa Wharf conspired amongst themselves to wit, falsification of shipping documents which they deposited with Mitsui Osk Lines Lagos, which was used as collateral for the purpose of clearance of raw materials polyinlchloride (PVC) for the production of roof ceiling and other imported items.
The accused persons were also alleged to have without lawful authority and with intent to defraud, utter the shipping clearance documents to the shipping Line Mitsui Osk Lines which was used as collateral for the purpose of obtaining a loan of N2.4 billion from Guaranty Trust bank Plc for the purpose of clearing raw materials Polyvinylchloride (PVC) for the production of roof ceiling and other imported items
They were further alleged to have falsely and fraudulently represented as genuine, the uttered shipping documents and presented same to Guaranty Trust bank Plc to obtain a loan of N2.4 billion.
The alleged offences according to the prosecution are contrary to and punishable under sections 3(6),1(2)(C) of the miscellaneous offences Act Cap. M 17 Laws of the Federation, 2004.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had filed the warrant against Innocent Chukwuma and his company, Innosson Nigeria Limited, for their continued failure to appear before the court, to answer forgery allegations levelled against them.
At the resumed hearing today, the court directed the prosecutor, Mr. Julius Ajakaiye, to the letter written by Nbadugha, seeking for an adjournment, on the ground that he is appearing at Appeal Court for another matter.
In the said letter, Mbadugha had urged the court to adjourned the matter till May 20, when he will be in court.
But the prosecutor, Mr. Julius Ajakaiye, and other defence counsels have objected to the date, and suggested May 22.
Upon the consensus of the counsels in court, Justice Faji, adjourned the matter till May 22.