Carlos Ghosn, Nissan Motor Co limited ousted chairman, appeared in Japan’s Tokyo court on Tuesday and defended himself against the allegation of financial misconduct, in his first public appearance since his arrest on November 19 last year.
According to news reported by BBC, Ghosn told the court, “Your honour, I am innocent of the accusations against me.” Ghosn defended himself with saying “I am wrongfully accused”.
According to Ghosn’s prepared statement, he told the court, “I have been wrongly accused and unfairly detained based on merit-less and unsubstantiated accusations.”
The prosecutors have charged Ghosn with falsifying its financial reports and underreporting his income by approximately 5 billion yen ($44 million) over five-year period time through 2015.
Ghosn statement stated: “Contrary to the accusations made by the prosecutors, I never received any compensation from Nissan that was not disclosed, nor did I ever enter into any binding contract with Nissan to be paid a fixed amount that was not disclosed.”
Since Ghosn’s arrest, for the first time, his Japanese lawyers are expected to defend Ghosn and speak on behalf of Ghosn in the court. Former prosecutor Motonari Otsuru would head the legal team on Tuesday afternoon.
Presiding judge Yuichi Tada read out all charges and said Ghosn was considered as a flight risk and might even try to hide the shreds of evidence. Though, one of Ghosn’s lawyers Go Kondo argued the court saying he was not a flight risk.
Kondo said, “He’s widely known so it’s difficult for him to escape. There is no risk that the suspect will destroy evidence.”
According to the statement, Ghosn said he had “acted honourably, legally and with the knowledge and approval of the appropriate executives inside the company with the sole purpose of supporting and strengthening Nissan”.
The statement stated: “Contrary to the accusations made by the prosecutors, I never received any compensation from Nissan this at was not disclosed.”
Ghosn said his personal investment losses executed from being paid in Japanese currency and he did ask Nissan to temporarily provide collateral for his foreign exchange contracts. He said the company has suffered no losses.
Ghosn said he had not asked for that, he would have had to step down from his position and use his retirement allowance as collateral instead.
Ghosn remains the head of Renault and is still on Nissan’s board of directors. Ghosn’s detention now runs through Friday.