JUST IN: Court strikes out fraud charges against Innoson by EFFC

Justice Olusola Williams of an Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos has struck out the criminal charges instituted against the Managing Director of Innoson Motors, Mr Innocent Chukwuma (aka Innoson).

Justice Williams struck out the suit following the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC failed effort to produce Innoson for possible arraignment on seven consecutive occasions.

The EFCC had filed a charge against Innoson and his company on offences alleged to have been committed sometimes in 2009 and 2011 bothering on fraud; conspiracy to obtain by false pretence containers of motorcycle, spare parts and raw materials, property of GTB from Mitsui OSL Lines Ltd, Apapa, Lagos

The judge, who is now presiding over the matter after the withdrawal of Justice Mojisola Dada of the same division, had on July 5, 2018 given the EFFC a 97-days ultimatum to produce Innoson for trial.

The court had also earlier blamed the EFCC for granting leave to Innoson, who was in it’s custody while the matter was pending in court.

However, in a short ruling, Justice Williams pointed out that the EFCC had the sole responsibility of producing Innoson to stand trial but has failed to executive such task.

“This court is not an investigator or a prosecutor. This court cannot waste precious judicial time prosecuting a matter that is going nowhere.

“This is a criminal matter that can be instituted anytime the prosecution is ready. The court hereby strikes out the matter,” the Judge held.