EFCC files charges against Innoson over alleged forgery

Innoson Motors chief Innocent Chukwuma and two others are to face forgery charges, it was learned yesterday.

The others are Innoson Nigeria Limited and Charles Chukwuma.

The suspects will face trial in the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Division.

The charge sheet, drawn up by the Head of Legal  and Prosecution at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos, A.B.C Ozioko, reads:

“At the Criminal Division of the High Court of Lagos State at Ikeja, the Court is informed by the Executive Chairman of EFCC, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that Innoson Nigeria Limited, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, and Charles Chukwuma are charged with the following offences:

“Conspiracy to obtain property by false pretence contrary to Section 8(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2006.

“Innoson Nigeria Limited, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, and Charles Chukwuma between 2009 and July 2011, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this court, with intent to defraud, conspired amongst yourselves to obtain by false pretence, containers of motorcycles and spare parts and raw materials from Mitsui O. S.K. Lines Limited, Apapa, Lagos,  property of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Lagos”.

Count two borders on “obtaining property by false pretence, contrary to sections1(1)(b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2006.

The particulars of offence in count two are: “Innoson Nigeria Limited, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, and Charles Chukwuma between 2009 and July 2011, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this court, with intent to defraud, induced the staff of Mitsui O. S.K. Lines Limited, Apapa, Lagos and Maersk Line Limited  to deliver to you  through your clearing agents, containers of motorcycle spare parts, moulds of plastic chairs and steel structures and raw materials called polyvinylchlorid, property of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc imported  into Nigeria from China in the name of the said bank as the consignee by falsely pretending that you were authorised by the said Guaranty Trust Bank Plc to clear  the goods  and took delivery of same.

On the third count, the suspects are charged with “stealing, contrary to Section 388 and 309(9) of the Criminal Code, Cap. C17Vol. 11 Laws of Lagos State, 2003.

The particulars of offence are:  “Innoson Nigeria Limited, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, and Charles Chukwuma between 2009 and July 2011, at Apapa Port, Lagos within the jurisdiction of this court, fraudulently stole containers of motorcycles and spare parts, moulds of plastic chairs and steel structures and raw materials called polyvinylchloride, property of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc being the consignee of the said goods.”

Regarding the fourth count, the suspects are answerable for alleged “forgery, contrary to Section 465 and 467(I) (J) the Criminal Code, Cap. C17Vol. 11 Laws of Lagos State, 2003”.

The particulars of offence read:” Innoson Nigeria Limited, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, and Charles Chukwuma between 2009 and July 2011, at Apapa Port, Lagos within the jurisdiction of this court,  with intent to defraud and in order to facilitate your obtaining goods by false pretence, forged bill of lading No.598286020 of Maersk Line Limited and Molu 11007950841 of Mitsui O. S.K. Lines Limited by knowingly putting a false GTB Plc stamp signature of its staff on the said bill of lading with intent that they might be used or acted upon as genuine to the prejudice of any person whether within Lagos State or elsewhere.”

The EFCC also attached a list of 11 witnesses to the charge sheet, but no date has been fixed for the arraignment of the suspects.

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