Unic Press UK: Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, an automobile maker, has alleged that GTBank – a commercial bank in Nigeria and several foreign corporate bodies and Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency – the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) – are pursuing a vile agenda aimed at ruining its businesses.
The Head Corporate Communications of Innoson Group, Cornel Osigwe, said:
“We have it now on good authority that there is a grand conspiracy by some international competitors of Innoson Vehicles who have conspired with a financial institution to pull down Innoson Vehicles at all cost… We are alarmed at how low EFCC could descend to be used by GTB to destroy Nigeria’s foremost entrepreneur”, Premium Times, Nigeria, reported, quoting a statement from Innoson Group, which was signed by Osigwe.
On 19th December 2017, the founder of Innoson Vehicle, Innocent Chukwuma, was arrested by the EFCC. He was later released as his arrest was widely condemned after it became public knowledge that the company had won all the cases in which a ruling had been delivered at both the High Court and the Court of Appeal, though the cases are now before the final arbiter – the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“How can a commercial transaction between a client and his bank lead to the involvement of @officialEFCC and his arrest. @officialEFCC is engaging in a self care package, we must say NO to this kind of impunity”- Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) December 20, 2017
I find the arrest of Innocent Chukwuma truly troubling and demoralizing for Nigeria’s business environment. @innosonmotors is the only Nigerian car manufacturer. The job of government should be to do everything in its power, within the law, to promote them and build their morale.
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) December 19, 2017
Excerpts from the statement which was signed by the Head Corporate Communications at Innoson Group, Cornel Osigwe, sequel the release of the founder of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, Innocent Chukwuma, from EFCC custody, reads:
“First and foremost, We reiterate that EFCC’s claim that they invited Dr Innocent Chukwuma (INNOSON) and he refused to honour same invite as false. We urge them to show Nigerians dated proof that he was duly invited by the Commission. Dr Chukwuma is a man of impeccable character and a law abiding citizen. He will never disrespect or disregard a constituted authority. The Commissions claim that that Dr Chukwuma resisted arrest is laughable. His residence was raided at 5am. They don’t expect him to run out and hand himself to whoever it was that came for him. EFCC alleged that Dr Chukwuma hired Six truck-loads of thugs to manhandle operatives of the Commission. This is preposterous. The people that invaded Dr Chukwuma’s residence were armed to the teeth. How can people without arms attack fully armed operatives of the commission? Finally, We would like Nigerians to know that we have a dispute with Guarantee Trust Bank which arose from a business deal that went wrong. This case is on final appeal at the Supreme Court. We implore everyone to wait till The Judiciary which remains the final arbiter to adjudicate and give their judgement in this matter.” (Innoson Group: 20 Dec. 2017)
An Interior View of the IVM SUV model by Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company
IVM UMU by Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company
