Court orders arrest of Innosson’s CEO
…The order cannot stand as it is abuse of court process, says Innocent Chukwuma
Our reporter
Justice Ayokunle Faji of a Federal High Court in Lagos has issued a bench warrant for the arrest and production in court, of Chief Innocent Chukwuma, the CEO of Innosson Nigeria Ltd CEO.
But the Head of Corporate Communications, Innosson Nigeria Ltd, Cornel Osigwe said the issuance of bench warrant against the renowned car manufacturer was an abuse of judicial process and therefore cannot stand, even as he added that the court has no jurisdiction to handle the case.
Justice Ayokunle Faji issued the warrant on Monday against Chukwuma and two others.
The Federal Government had a week ago urged the court to issue a bench warrant against Chukwuma and some of his employees.
Prosecuting counsel, Julius Ajakaiye had moved an application, urging the court to order the arrest of the defendants, saying the charge was served on them through a court-ordered substituted service following the takeover of the case by the Attorney General of the Federation
According to him, the defendants were yet to take their plea and should, therefore, be compelled to appear; adding that an April 12, 2016, amended charge could not be served on the absent defendants.
On their part, Defense Counsels, George Uwechue (SAN) and Prof. C. Mbadugha prayed the court to dismiss the application.
But speaking exclusively to Daily Times on phone, Cornel Osigwe said Innocent Chukwuma’s legal team have already filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal as well as stay of execution on the order, adding that it was an abuse of judicial process, meant to weaken the car maker’s position in the dispute with Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB).
“The order is an abuse of judicial process. The aim is to weaken Chief Innocent Chukwuma in the contest with GTB, so that he can be forced to bargain with the bank.
“But it will not stand. There is no prima facie case against Innocent Chukwuma. Even the charge against Innoson Nigeria Ltd has been discharged by the Court of Appeal.
“Secondly, there was no notice of trial or prove of service on Innocent Chukwuma. The issue of whether he was served or not is currently pending at the Supreme Court.
You cannot issue a bench warrant to someone that has not been arraigned in court. The court has no jurisdiction on the matter,” he said.
