IPOB : MASSOB blows hot over Innoson, accuses Nigerian Government of crippling Igbo businessmen

In a statement by MASSOB leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, the group condemned what it called incessant, increasing pressure and attack on Chief Chukwuma and his company by the Federal Government using the EFCC. The group claimed that the Federal Government wants to stifle the economic prowess of Ndigbo and impose an economic and industrial monopoly in the country.The statement added, “MASSOB view these consciously systemic and intimidating actions of security agents as a strategic grand plan to stifle the economic prowess of Ndigbo. We say no to economic and industrial monopoly in Nigeria.The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has provided reasons the popular Igbo motor manufacturer, Chief Innocent Chukwuma and his firm, Innoson Group of companies, are being continuously harassed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.The pro-Biafra group said that the harassment was a confirmation of an agenda by the Federal Government to frustrate Ndigbo out of business in Nigeria. MASSOB said the intimidation and harassment of Igbo sons and daughters justified its self determination struggle for the actualization and restoration of Biafra.“This kind of ill treatment against Igbo business men and industrialists is another justification and open evidence of vindication of our self determination struggle for the actualization and restoration of Biafra. “MASSOB also wishes to remind the people of Biafra that since after the Nigeria Biafra Civil War ended, Nigeria state have been devising both secretive and open means in frustrating the individual economy of the people of Biafra which resulted in frustrating Chief Eric Umeofia, Erisco Foods Limited out of Nigeria.“We want to warn that Ndigbo will never allow any coerced or envious subjection on Innoson Group of Companies or its proprietor, Chief Innocent Chukwuma to any kind of bank sponsored intimidation, harassment and ill treatment aimed at pulling him down or frustrating him out of business.” MASSOB recalled that in recent past, Chief Cletus Ibeto, Ibeto group, was also frustrated out of business while Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, Capital Oil and Gas was consistently harassed in an attempt to be pushed out of business using the Department of State Services DSS and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. It said “now, they are after Chief Innocent Chukwuma, of Innoson Group of Companies and a popular Bank that Igbo business men helped to make what is it today is being used against the business man who grew them in Nnewi.”MASSOB urged the EFCC, and a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Mojisola Dada, not serve as tools for what it described as “the greedy and jealous business competitors with Innoson Group, to achieve their selfish aims.” “MASSOB leadership and members condemn the increased and incessant pressures and attack of Chief Innocent Chukwuma, his company, Innoson Group of Companies. “We want to warn that Ndigbo will never allow any coerced or envious subjection of Chief Chukwuma and his company to any kind of bank sponsored intimidation, harassment and ill treatment aimed at pulling him down or frustrating him out of business. “We do not want to believe that the federal government is using Guarantee Trust Bank Plc as a cover up with the instruments of EFCC to Intimidate him out of business. More so, when some foreign motor companies seem to be uncomfortable with his business feat.“The court’s decision declaring Chief Innocent Chukwuma wanted is in bad fate, it is unacceptable to Ndigbo. The judge must not impose the desires of the enemies of economical and technological developments in Nigeria against Chief Chukwuma who they see as threat because of his recent vehicle manufacturing exploits.“MASSOB is convinced that the ordeal of Chief Chukuwma in the hands of EFCC and Guaranty Trust Bank is because of acute and unrepentant jealousy against Ndigbo, but we want to make it clear that the more the oppressors of Ndigbo vent their frustration and envy on us, the more Ndigbo are developing more technological feat. “The likes of Chief Innocent Chukwuma and his company are the pride of other African countries and developing nations. Ndigbo and unbiased citizens must jealously protect him and Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing Company.” “We in MASSOB wish to declare that attack on Chief Chukwuma and his company is an attack against Ndigbo. We shall never tolerate or keep silence in the face of this wickedness against Igbo entrepreneurs and their enterprises, the bank being used for the hatchet job should desist from such dirty job or will face the wrath of MASSOB and Ndigbo.  go unpunished. The bank that is being used and their collaborators against Ndigbo are blind to see the dangers and bad effects their action against Chief Innocent Chukwuma will bring to them,” the statement concluded.