By Sodiq Adewale Chocomilo
Chairman of Innoson Group, Innocent Chukwuma has disclosed that his relationship with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) now Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc) changed after the exit of the former chief executive officer (CEO), Olutayo Aderinokun.
Recall that the former chief executive officer, Aderinokun died in 2011 after a protracted illness.
Chukwuma while addressing journalists in an interview on Tuesday said the money owed him by the bank would soon surpass their capacity, claiming that he may soon take over the bank’s assets.
Innoson Group and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) have had a business dispute leading to a prolonged legal battle.
This is not the first time Innoson is making such claims. In 2019, he said he had obtained a nod from the court to take over the bank in the wake of legal tussles.
Innoson had secured judgment debt against the bank in suit FHC/L/Cs/603/2006 and FHC/Cs/139/2012 respectively, which rose to over N32 billion due to accumulated interest.
Innoson in July had requested a federal high court in Lagos to set aside an order permitting GTB to restructure to a holding company.
But the bank successfully completed the restructuring — now known as Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc).
The billionaire businessman, at the media briefing, recounted that his relationship with the bank had been extremely cordial during the tenure of Aderinokun.
“I was GTBANK’s best customer in the south-east when Tayo, the former MD, was alive. Because of this, they opened a branch in Nnewi. After Tayo, the new MD took over. I don’t even know him. I saw him for the first time last year,” Chukuma said.
“They started fighting me (the new MD). I don’t know exactly what his problem is.
“But finally, I have proved him wrong in everything. I have defeated him in all the courts we went to. The only thing left is for him to pay me what he owes me.
“He was going to my account and taking money anyhow. I discovered it, took him to court and won. Up till now, he hasn’t paid and we have gone up to supreme court. Maybe he hasn’t paid because he wants Nigeria to change their law because of him.”
The CEO explained that he would no longer “disturb” the bank to pay the debt.
According to him, he would take over the bank when it gets to the point that the bank cannot pay the principal amount plus 22 percent accrued interest.
“The beauty of the whole thing is that the money is attracting the interest of 22 percent. So, I am waiting for the interest to be above their capacity so I can take over the bank,” Chukuma said.
“That’s what I am waiting for. I am not disturbing them anymore. I am assuring all the customers of GTB that if I take over, I would still run it well. They shouldn’t fear. I haven’t done any business that fails.
“I will run it better than them. If they cannot pay me, I have no choice but to take over the management.”
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