A Lagos Federal High Court, has fixed May 31, 2016, for the arraignment of Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, and four others over alleged offences bordering on forgery.

The court presided over fixed the date after ordering the Attorney-General of Federation (AGF), to commence criminal prosecution of Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, his company, Innoson Nigeria Limited, in the charge.

Other four accused persons to be arraigned alongside Chukwuma, are Charles Chukwu, Maximian Chukwura, Mitsui Osk  Lines, and Annajekwu Sunny.

The ruling of the court presided over by Justice Saliu Saidu, was based on an application filed before it by Federal Ministry of Justice that the Attorney General of the Federation has taken over the prosecution of the accused persons which the prosecutor from the office of the Inspector -General of Police objected.

However after listening to the submissions of the counsel for the two parties, the court decided the AGF should go ahead with the prosecution of the accused persons.

Upon the order of the court, the AGF has filed a four-count amended criminal charge against the accused persons.

In a four-count amended criminal charge marked FHC /L/565/C/2015 filed  before the court by Mr. Mohammed Saidu Diri a Director in the Office of Public Prosecutions, Federal Ministry of Justice, it was alleged that, all the accused persons had between January, 2010 and April, 2011, at Apapa Wharf criminally conspired amongst themselves to wit, falsification of Shipping Documents which they deposited with Mitsui Osk Lines Lagos which was used  as collateral for the purpose of clearance of raw materials polyvinylchloride (PVC ) for the production of roof ceiling and other imported items.

DPP further alleged that the accused persons same time and place did without lawful authority and with intent to defraud, utter the shipping clearance documents to the shipping Line Mitsui Osk Lines which was used as collateral for the purpose of obtaining a loan of N2.4 billion a new generation bank for the purpose of clearing raw materials Polyvinylchloride for the production of roof ceiling and other imported items

The accused persons were also alleged to have falsely and fraudulently represented as genuine, the uttered shipping documents and presented same to the new generation bank to obtain a loan of N2.4billion

The alleged offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under sections 3(6),1(2)(C) of the miscellaneous offences Act Cap. M 17 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Consequently, Justice Saidu adjourned till May 31, for arraignment of the accused persons. http://thestreetreporters.com/?p=5666