Innoson Group Chief Executive Officer Innocent Chukwuma has responded to the allegations levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Chukwuma has been involved in a triangular argument with the anti corruption agency and GT Bank which resulted in his arrest on Tuesday. He has since been released.
GT bank yesterday issued a press statement on the matter. The National Assembly has also stepped in as the Senate Committee on Financial Crimes and Anti-Corruption to investigate the matter and report back to the chamber on Thursday.
On shunning EFCC’s invitation
Chukwuma denied the charge levelled against him that he had shunned previous EFCC invitations and jumping administrative bail.
“If they had invited me or written any letter to me, I would have honoured the invitation because I am a genuine businessman and industrialist. I don’t have anything in my cupboard to hide.”
On the allegation of forging tax documents
The Innoson boss also denied another allegation of forging tax documents
I have never in my life owed any tax, I pay all my taxes and all my duties. I am a genuine businessman and industrialist, I have a history in my business
The saga so far
The dispute between the company and GTB began in 2012. Innoson Nigeria Ltd. was a customer of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. Sometime in 2012 Innoson discovered that GTB imposed and debited its current account with over N700 million excess and unlawful charges. GTB failed and refused to refund the N700 million to Innoson.
The company then took the bank to court and was awarded the sum of N4.7 billion with interest as a judgement debt. The bank has since appealed the judgement but lost.
Who does one believe ?
At this stage, one is lost as to who to believe. The EFCC or Innoson ? Or GT Bank which has refused to give details, in deference to the court case. Chukuma however failed to address the allegation that EFCC staff were manhandled in their attempt to pick him up.
