The Federal High Court in Lagos granted Innoson Nigeria Limited and its Director-General, Innocent Chukwuma, permission to withdraw an ex-parte application filed against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.
The application had sought various injunctions involving the EFCC, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the police and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.
Innoson had alleged that Chukwuma’s arrest and detention by the EFCC was connected to GTBank. Chukwuma had been released on bail by the anti-graft agency shortly after his arrest.
When the matter came before Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari, GTBank’s lawyer, Adebowale Kamoru, urged the court not to entertain the ex-parte application.
Kamoru argued that his client was aware of the application and maintained that material facts had allegedly been withheld from the court. He also cited judicial authorities in support of his position and asked the court to hear GTBank despite the fact that the application had not formally been served on the bank.
However, Innoson’s counsel, Prof. MacCarty Mbaduagha, informed the court that he had instructions from his client to withdraw the application.
GTBank did not oppose the withdrawal.
Justice Shagari subsequently granted the application, stating: “In view of the application of the applicants’ counsel, the application is hereby granted.”
The EFCC released Chukwuma on bail less than 24 hours after his arrest.
According to the anti-graft agency, Chukwuma and his brother, Charles Chukwuma, were being investigated over allegations involving approximately N1.478 billion in fraud and forgery.
The EFCC also alleged that the industrialist used forged documents to obtain tax waivers.
In a statement at the time, EFCC spokesperson Wilson Uwujaren confirmed Chukwuma’s release on bail.
The court’s decision to allow the withdrawal of the ex-parte application did not, by itself, determine the merits of the allegations against Chukwuma or GTBank. Those allegations remained matters for the appropriate legal proceedings.
The Nation
#Africa ... spill TEA.... Easy on Shade #jaiyeorie
No comments:
Post a Comment