Condemnation Trails EFCC’s Arrest Of Innoson Boss

BY RAPHAEL ONYEKACHUKWU, ENUGU – Condemnation has continued to trail the arrest of Chairman of Innoson Motors, Mr Innocent Chukwuma, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday in his Enugu residence.
In a statement the Igbo Youth Forum (IYF) tat was issued on Wednesday, and signed by it International Coordinator, Nze Ugo-Akpe Onwuka, the group warned that EFCC should not be used as a tool for the intimidation of the young entrepreneur who has put Nigeria on the map of the world by the giant strides he has made in the automobile industry.
It noted that the act of EFCC against the CEO of Innoson is really smearing its already soiled images, while calling on the South-east caucus of the National Assembly and the South-east governors to rise up to the task of “true representation” and save the livelihoods of hundreds of families who would be direct and indirect recipients of the evil paycheck this meddlesome episode portend for “our people, Ndi Igbo”.
“When an anti graft agency starts meddling in a viable company’s business like Innoson Motors, one is sure to envisage the terrible demise of thriving private investments that should rather be supported by government.
“As the EFCC dances naked on the streets, we do sincerely hope that well-meaning Nigerians would find reason to raise their voices and condemn this unwholesome meddling into a matter that has been won twice at the high court and twice at the appeal court.
“The masses who are bearing the brunt of the economic hardship that the advent of the emasculation of Major private sector players, especially those from the South East are obviously not enthused by such acts of impunity that further knocks the economy into the ground, while strengthening the belief that the people of the South East are not considered as First Class citizens of Nigeria, but a conquered people.
“There’s no gainsaying that Innoson Motors, which is creditably performing in the automobile industry and employs thousands of people in the South East is currently being targeted for emasculation.”
In q related development, a joint statement issued by Igbo Youth Movement (IYM), Eastern Consultative Assembly (ECA) and Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT), signed by Evang. Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko, warned the Federal Government on levels of what a people can endure.
The group stated that the commando-style abduction of the founder of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, by agents of the central government in a matter that is already in court ‘is a loud statement to the Igbo Nation that we are perceived as slaves in Nigeria’.
The group noted that from reliable information available to them, there was no earlier invitation or notice by the EFCC, before Tuesday’s Invasion. “The raw display of brute force by the EFCC, the empty shells of expended bullets thrown all over the compound, is a sad reminder that in Nigeria, Easterners remain second class citizens.
“Will Magu abduct Aliko Dangote that way? The total disregard for the ongoing court actions and a resort to military era abductions confirm to all, that Ndigbo remain endangered species in Nigeria.
“The greatest employer of labour in Igbo land and a genius who has transformed the economic landscape of this clime, in the area of automobile manufacturing, is abducted in a humiliating manner at his residence in Enugu, ostensibly over issues with a bank, issues which lawyers are handling. This is a loud message to the people of Eastern Nigeria of our status in Nigeria.”
The group noted Dangote cannot be abducted over issues with a commercial bank, stressing that the owners of Nigeria has kept reminding the people of Eastern region, that, they are not wanted in Nigeria.
Also, Reno Omokri in his reaction said, “How can the same EFCC that has not arrested Babachir, a proven thief and Maina who was given security now to go and arrest Innocent Chukwuma, founder of Innoson Motors, the only car manufacturers in the country. Is it a crime to be a 5 percenter in Buhari’s Nigeria?”