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Innoson claims It’s Owed N2.5bn By Imo State
Innoson Vehicles has insisted that if is being owed a significant amount of money by the Imo State Government.
Cornel Osigwe, Innoson Vehicles’ Head of Corporate Communications and Affairs in a statement on Monday said that, “No agreement in the vehicle contract with the Imo State government was broken.”
The company states that the state government had yet to make any payment since the vehicles were delivered in April 2021.
The statement reads thus:
“Our attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly released by the Commissioner for information and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba on behalf of the Imo State Government. The said statement was unscrupulously written to water down the facts and substance stated in our earlier statement. We do not wish to join words with the Imo State Government as we now have it on good authority that it has engaged its e-dogs to discredit our brand in the media space. The matter is now before the courts, and we have always believed in the integrity of the judiciary to do the right thing when facts are stated.”
The statement further says, “However, to ensure that the public is not deceived by the so-called response, we have decided to puncture the pack of lies and further strengthen the facts.”
The statement outlines two independent allegations of the Imo State Government buying vehicles with the promise of payment but refusing to make any effort to pay.
“Imo State Government under His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, paid for its first set of Innoson vehicles it ordered from the company in March 2020. The details of this transaction were not done in secret but were carried in the media. In April 2021, Imo State Govt. requested the supply of another set of vehicles with an understanding the State Government will pay for the vehicles after deliveries to them, just as was the case with the first transaction and which request was granted and honored.
“Innoson Vehicles has made all efforts since April 2021 through every means possible to make the Governor pay for these vehicles, all to no avail.”
The statement also addresses the contractual agreement between Innoson and the Imo State Government.
“It is not correct that Innoson Vehicles agreed with the Imo State Government that Innoson Vehicles will set up a Service Centre in Imo State. Innoson Vehicles is not a charitable organization but a business concern that needs money to stay in business.
“Innoson Vehicles has always maintained and serviced the vehicles supplied to the Imo State Government up to the stage the company decided to disengage its maintenance and servicing as a result of non-payment of servicing parts used which have risen to above 7M naira.”
The statement addresses servicing of debt and claims that it is false in its entirety. Innoson further added that they had made efforts to reach out to the Imo State Government with a payment plan but were not received.
“Since the vehicles were delivered in April 2021, the State Government hasn’t paid one naira. The company has utilized every known means to make the state pay or negotiate a payment plan that will clear the debt.”
Innoson Vehicles says the government was not disposed to settling the debt or reaching an agreement on terms of settling the mounting debt. And adds that the defendants in the suit including the Attorney General of Imo State have been served by the bailiff of the honorable court.
Innoson states that the case being taken to court is a last-ditch effort in response to the lack of action from the Imo State Government and further added that they do not delight in it.
“There are several receipts of letters and messages sent to the State Government and the Governor appealing to his conscience that the nonpayment of this debt or its servicing will lead to the shutdown of operations of Innoson Vehicles, not for once did we get any response of hope from the Governor.” The statement reads.
The statement ends with Innoson urging the Imo State Government to do the needful and pay its debt with the accruing interest so that the case will be withdrawn from court.
Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (IVM) commonly called the” Pride of African Road” is a Nigerian vehicle manufacturer, with its headquarters in Nnewi, Anambra, Nigeria. Founded by Chief Innocent Chukwuma Nwala.
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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