Innocent Chukwuma, CEO of Innoson

A federal high court sitting in Lagos south west Nigeria has authorised the attorney General of Federation to commence the prosecution of a Lagos business man Innocent Chukwuma, his company  Innoson Nigeria Limited and four others for  forgery offences.

The ruling of the presiding judge,Saliu Saidu was based on an application filed before the court by Federal Ministry of Justice that the Attorney General of the Federation has taken over the prosecution of the accused persons which the prosecutor from the office of the Inspector General of Police objected.

However after listening to the submission of the counsel of the two  parties,the court decided the Attorney General of the Federation should go ahead  with the prosecution of the accused persons.

Consequently the Attorney General has filed a four  count amended criminal charge against the accused persons.

Other four accused persons to be arraigned alongside the accused businessman, are Charles Chukwu, Maximian Chukwura, Mitsui Osk  Lines, and Annajekwu Sunny .

In a four count amended criminal charge number FHC /L/565/C/2015 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 criminally conspired amongst themselves  to falsify  Shipping Documents which they deposited with Mitsui Osk Lines Lagos  and used  as collateral  to obtain a loan from GTB Plc to clear raw materials polyinlchloride (PVC )for the production of roof ceiling and other imported items.

Mr Diri alleged further that all the accused persons same time and place did without lawful authority and with intent to defraud, altered  the shipping clearance documents to the Shipping Line Mitsui Osk Lines which was used as collateral  for  the purpose of obtaining a loan of  N2.4billion from Guaranty Trust bank PLC.

The accused persons were also 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 N2.4billion

All the offences alleged to have been committed by the accused persons 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.

Justice Saidu has adjourned trial till 31 May when all the accused persons will be  arraigned.