Innoson’s Absence in Court Stalls Arraignment on Fraud Charge
Chukwuma was to be arraigned alongside his company and one Charles Chukwuma on a 4-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and forgery before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The defendants were also said to have forged a bill of lading numbered 598286020 of Maersk Line Limited and 11007950841 of Mutsui O.S.K Lines by knowingly putting a false GTB stamp and signature of the bank staff.
This, investigation revealed, was done so that the forged documents could be used or acted upon as genuine to the prejudice of any person within Lagos or elsewhere.
“Charles Chukwuma, who is the third defendant in the charge, was not even arrested by the EFCC”,Onwukwe argued.
“My Lord, the most important thing is for us to proceed to trial. The defendants are on administrative bail. As diligent citizens of this country , when they were aware of the charges, they are to come to the EFCC office with their counsel and receive a copy of the charge. The lawyer should make an undertaking that his clients will be present in court
A mild drama however ensued when Justice Dada asked the EFCC counsel to pass an advanced copy of the charge to Onwukwe as a form of service.
Onwukwe objected to be served, stating that he could not accept the advanced copy of the charge as a form of service to the defendants.
The judge, therefore, ordered EFCC counsel to “put the copy of the charge on the table, if he refuses to accept it.”
