• EFCC: He refused to honour our invitation
Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu
The Chairman/Managing Director of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM), Chief Innocent Chukwuma, last night alleged that a commercial bank, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), was behind his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Heavily armed operatives from the anti-corruption commission and policemen yesterday morning stormed the residence of the IVM owner located at Savage Crescent, GRA, Enugu and arrested him.
THISDAY gathered that there was however an initial resistance by security men at his residence as they refused the EFCC operatives entrance, resulting in the firing of teargas canisters by the policemen accompanying the EFCC agents.
They equally cordoned off all the exit routes from the residence, causing gridlock as most people who were involved in early morning activities experienced serious delays.
The operatives later succeeded in gaining access to the building after over-powering his security men and eventually took him away.
A statement by the EFCC Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said Chukwuma was arrested following his refusal to honour the commission’s invitation.
He added that the auto manufacturer had earlier jumped an administrative bail granted him in a case being investigated by the Capital Market and Insurance Fraud Unit of the commission’s Lagos office.
The spokesman of the anti-graft agency added that instead of honouring the invitation, Chukwuma mobilised six truck loads of thugs pretending to be staff of his company to his residence, where they manhandled EFCC operatives.
He said it took a reinforcement from the Enugu office of the anti-graft agency to effect the arrest of the industrialist who is currently being grilled by a team of investigators.
The embattled vehicle manufacturer has been involved in a lingering financial dealing with the bank.
Speaking through phone, he said he was surprised at the arm-twisting strategy of the EFCC, noting that his arrest was connected with a case he had with GTBank.
He claimed that the court ruled in his favour and instead of complying with the ruling, the bank resorted to using EFCC to “witch hunt†him with the intention of embarrassing, frustrating and frightening him out of court.
