The Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) has maintained that it has the jurisdiction to wade into the dispute between Innoson Group of Companies and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), as there are components of the tussle bordering on financial crimes.

The Director of Legal at the commission, Mr. Chile Okoroma, while speaking before the Senate Committee on Anti Corruption, wednesday, said it was a misconception that the tussle between both business entities is a civil one, or that the agency waded into the matter based on the dictates of the bank.


This is as the committee summoned the Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr. Segun Agbaje, to appear before it at its next sitting.

The Senator Chukwuka Utazi-led committee is investigating the alleged gestapo styled arrest of the Chairman of Innoson Group, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, by EFCC officials and alleged manhandling of his wife in December 2017, and the role of the commission in a transactional dispute between a private entrepreneur and a commercial bank in a matter which is already before the Supreme Court.

Okoroma said the EFCC can also wade into cases of duping between two persons, and can prosecute or play the role of an arbitrator if the accused person agrees to pay a refund.

“If someone goes to take loan from a bank and presents forged documents, are we saying it is a civil matter between them? It is a case of alleged forgery and obtaining money under false pretence. We have a responsibility to investigate, and from our investigations, we can prosecute,” he told the committee.

He told the committee that Chukwuma has already instituted about three suits, with EFCC as party, in different courts over his arrest and alleged abuse.

Okoroma added that the EFCC arrested Chukwuma from his Enugu home after the businessman, who he said was on administrative bail, failed to honour invitations extended to him by the commission.

He further alleged that officials of the EFCC were assaulted by thugs when they tried to arrest the businessman.
“We are not partisan, we do not have anything to do with their civil matter, but if there is anything that has to do with financial crimes, it is our duty to investigate it,” Okoroma added.

But while being questioned by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi APC), Okoroma was unable to categorically state whether the commission had a warrant of arrest for Chukwuma before invading his home.
As the lawmaker insisted on a “Yes or No” response to the question, Okoroma said the operation was conducted by the Lagos office of the agency.

“I would ask for permission to verify if there was a warrant of arrest and get back to you,” he said.
Melaye also demanded that the agency produce copies of its invitation letters to Chukwuma, and pictorial or video evidence of the assault on its officials by about ‘1,000 miscreants” as claimed in the memorandum submitted by the EFCC.

“We want it because it also falls within the purview of human rights abuses,” Melaye said.
The legal counsel to Chukwuma, Prof. McCarthy Mbadingha, in his submission said the EFCC had no jurisdiction in the transactional disputes between his client and the bank, as the disputes are already before the law courts.
“Under the EFCC Act, in Section 46 which defines what financial crimes are, the issue between Innoson and GTB does not fall under financial crimes,” he argued.

Instructed by the committee members to restrict his presentation to areas that border on human rights abuse in the course of Chukwuma’s arrest, as the transitional disputes are already prejudicial matters, Mbadingha maintained that Mrs. Chukwuma was slapped by an EFCC official for demanding to see the warrant of arrest issued for her husband.

He cited the degrading conditions under which his client was arrested and taken to Lagos, where he was detained until his release about 24 hours later.

GTB’s lawyer, Mr. Adebowale Kamoru, also noted that since the matter was already in court, the bank would not be making any submissions.

The Chairman, Utazi, said the Senate was interested in the matter because of the need to protect the business sector,

“A businessman’s wife of Innoson’s status, with all his connections, we have to look at the implications (of EFCC actions) on foreign investments. If you handle your own like this, how will you handle a foreigner. We must restore confidence in the local business environemnt,” he said.

Ruling, Utazi insisted that the Chief Executive Officer of GTB, Agbaje must appear at the committee’s next sitting instead of sending his legal team, since Chukwuma had personally shown up before the committee at an earlier sitting.

Invitations were extended to both men, Utazi disclosed.

http://www.akelicious.com/2018/02/efcc-insists-on-power-to-intervene-in.html

“If someone goes to take loan from a bank and presents forged documents, are we saying it is a civil matter between them? It is a case of alleged forgery and obtaining money under false pretence. We have a responsibility to investigate, and from our investigations, we can prosecute,” he told the committee.




Proper investigation should be carried out.

This is indeed sending wrong signals to foreign and local investors. This govt's body language is not friendly to business little wonder there is massive loss of jobs. Even if there is an issue between Innoson and GTB, what a responsible govt. would have done is to wade in and find a way of helping out sort the issue so as to protect both businesses as they are important to the economy. I remember during the global melt down, Obama administration assisted Ford motors to bounce back when it was in crisis and today The country is reaping the dividends of that,but here they will use efcc to kill a striving business because it is being owned by an Igbo man, I am not exonerating Innoson but his business is important to the technological and economic growth of the country so a responsible govt should try and Wade in to find a solution between them not sending EFCC on a commando operation.

EFCC wants Fulani Herdsmen's naked Power.

modelmike7:
“If someone goes to take loan from a bank and presents forged documents, are we saying it is a civil matter between them? It is a case of alleged forgery and obtaining money under false pretence. We have a responsibility to investigate, and from our investigations, we can prosecute,” he told the committee.




Proper investigation should be carried out.

Why should they investigate?
Don't they know we're Jews

[s]

clarocuzioo:
This is indeed sending wrong signals to foreign and local investors. This govt's body language is not friendly to business little wonder there is massive loss of jobs. Even if there is an issue between Innoson and GTB, what a responsible govt. would have done is to wade in and find a way of helping out sort the issue so as to protect both businesses as they are important to the economy. I remember during the global melt down, Obama administration assisted Ford motors to bounce back when it was in crisis and today The country is reaping the dividends of that,but here they will use efcc to kill a striving business because it is being owned by an Igbo man, I am not exonerating Innoson but his business is important to the technological and economic growth of the country so a responsible govt should try and Wade in to find a solution between them not sending EFCC on a commando operation.

[/s]

We don't want investors who are into forgery. If EFCC suspected a crime has taken place then they must act.

modelmike7:
“If someone goes to take loan from a bank and presents forged documents, are we saying it is a civil matter between them? It is a case of alleged forgery and obtaining money under false pretence. We have a responsibility to investigate, and from our investigations, we can prosecute,” he told the committee.




Proper investigation should be carried out.

Where is the forged document? Till date EFCC has not stated what document was forged and who reported that it was forged ..We know Innoson arrest had to to with pure politics and the truth will one day come out .

OneCorner:

Why should they investigate?
Don't they know we're Jews

usba:
[s][/s]

We don't want investors who are into forgery. If EFCC suspected a crime has taken place then they must act.

Ignoramus set as if you where there when he took the loan, I guess you guys Skip this part when you were reading? Prof. McCarthy Mbadingha, in his submission said the EFCC had no jurisdiction in the transactional disputes between his client and the bank, as the disputes are already before the law courts.
“Under the EFCC Act, in Section 46 which defines what financial crimes are, the issue between Innoson and GTB does not fall under financial crimes,

Innoson had won them in previous court cases why not wait for supreme court ruling on the matter?

usba:
[s][/s]

We don't want investors who are into forgery. If EFCC suspected a crime has taken place then they must act.

u av alws been a terrorist sympathizers. wen it comes to sensible people on nairaland u are definitly not one of the. as for model mike abi wetin be dat yr name again, yr doubl standards will soon pay u back someday. evil people giving yoruba bad name

usba:
[s][/s]

We don't want investors who are into forgery. If EFCC suspected a crime has taken place then they must act.

Since when did EFCC turn court, even after the court demanded GTB to pay a sum to Innoson, if aren't cool with the arrangement, you appeal.
If there be a case of forgery, EFCC should sue Innoson, and not interferring in a matter in court.

Police declaring the spokesman of IBB wanted for a letter authorized by IBB, on the ground that it wasnt his principal that anthored it, did IBB report of any case of impersonation?

You talked about forgery, I guess you know better than the court.

#IlliteracyKilling

Key points:

*The transactional dispute between a private entrepreneur and a commercial bank in a matter which is already before the Supreme Court.


*EFCC had no jurisdiction in the transactional disputes between his client and the bank, as the disputes are already before the law courts.
“Under the EFCC Act, in Section 46 which defines what financial crimes are, the issue between Innoson and GTB does not fall under financial crimes,


* Melaye demanded that the agency produce copies of its invitation letters to Chukwuma, and pictorial or video evidence of the assault on its officials by about ‘1,000 miscreants” as claimed in the memorandum submitted by the EFCC.

clarocuzioo:
This is indeed sending wrong signals to foreign and local investors. This govt's body language is not friendly to business little wonder there is massive loss of jobs. Even if there is an issue between Innoson and GTB, what a responsible govt. would have done is to wade in and find a way of helping out sort the issue so as to protect both businesses as they are important to the economy. I remember during the global melt down, Obama administration assisted Ford motors to bounce back when it was in crisis and today The country is reaping the dividends of that,but here they will use efcc to kill a striving business because it is being owned by an Igbo man, I am not exonerating Innoson but his business is important to the technological and economic growth of the country so a responsible govt should try and Wade in to find a solution between them not sending EFCC on a commando operation.

A responsible government should make sure forgery and fraudulent business people are not allowed to disrupt the encouraging business environment we are currently witnessing in the country.

SalamRushdie:


Where is the forged document? Till date EFCC has not stated what document was forged and who reported that it was forged ..We know Innoson arrest had to to with pure politics and the truth will one day come out .

And you want Nigeria to better?

See tribalism........

Innocent is a criminal and his financial crimes should be investigated by the EFCC.

GTB why the hell are you offering loans to people from that part of the country. They can't be trusted.

Sad to see pigs and idiots think anyone get time for their jingoism.

so they never settle

You're right bro but unfortunately not only innoson are dubious there are many of them even dangote not left out they enrich themselves at expense of poor Nigerians .

ChidiAlaigbo:
Innocent is a criminal and his financial crimes should be investigated by the EFCC.

GTB why the hell are you offering loans to people from that part of the country. They can't be trusted.

But have no power to investigate Babachir Lawal

I think is time for us to insist on knowing how much GTB is paying u guys.

cuz i don see why u are going out of your way to satisfy GTB

See thieves.... Dem don d find deir own choppings

okay

How can I reply comment on nairaland??

Ol

Why are people talking of political influence in this? You just try to castigate this government in any news. The same Government which you're accusing gave Innoson massive supply contract of Military vehicles. So where is the political influence here.

If innososn indeed provided forged documents, let the Law take it's due course.

SalamRushdie:


Where is the forged document? Till date EFCC has not stated what document was forged and who reported that it was forged ..We know Innoson arrest had to to with pure politics and the truth will one day come out .

Why are people talking of political influence in this? You just try to castigate this government in any news. The same Government which you're accusing gave Innoson massive supply contract of Military vehicles. So where is the political influence here.

If Innoson indeed provided forged documents, let the courts decide. I don't know how handling Innoson in this matter will jeopardise foreign investor.

Nigeria I hail thee.. Buhari I thank you... If not for u we won't have listened to Nigeria's mixtape side B...

q

SalamRushdie:


Where is the forged document? Till date EFCC has not stated what document was forged and who reported that it was forged ..We know Innoson arrest had to to with pure politics and the truth will one day come out .

BUT GTB HAS NOT COME OUT TO SAY INNOSON FORGED ANY DOCUMENT, EFCC IS ONLY TRYING TO JUSTIFY ITS INVOLVEMENT IN THE MATTER

gare:


BUT GTB HAS NOT COME OUT TO SAY INNOSON FORGED ANY DOCUMENT, EFCC IS ONLY TRYING TO JUSTIFY ITS INVOLVEMENT IN THE MATTER

Exactly my point ma

ChidiAlaigbo:
Innocent is a criminal and his financial crimes should be investigated by the EFCC.

GTB why the hell are you offering loans to people from that part of the country. They can't be trusted.

See local pot calling kettle black.. you are not from there yet ur name says otherwise... You are the only criminal here as evidenced by ur moniker (identity theft)...