Carlos Ghosn's jail detention extended again by Tokyo court

Pedestrians look at a huge screen displaying breaking news about the detention of former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn in Tokyo, Japan. EPA

Japanese prosecutors extended Carlos Ghosn’s stay in jail for 10 more days, another setback for the fallen auto executive who has sought bail to start mounting his defense in the case that has shocked the global car industry.

A Tokyo court approved the extension of detention until January 11, The Foreign Press in Japan said in a statement Monday, citing the Tokyo District Court. National broadcaster NHK reported the news earlier. The ousted Nissan chairman stands accused of understating his income by tens of millions of dollars and of passing trading losses to the carmaker.

Lawyers for Mr Ghosn declined to comment beyond confirming the extension. Representatives for the Tokyo court and Nissan couldn’t immediately be reached during holiday hours for a comment.

The arrest of the high-flying executive on November 19 at Tokyo’s Haneda airport has rocked the world’s biggest auto alliance, raising questions over how the two-decade partnership between Nissan and French partner Renault SA will change after Mr Ghosn’s downfall. While Nissan dismissed Mr Ghosn as chairman shortly after his arrest, Renault has retained him as chairman and chief executive officer, saying it needs evidence of his wrongdoing.

Since Mr Ghosn’s arrest, prosecutors have repeatedly extended his detention and rearrested him over new allegations. Mr Ghosn has refuted wrongdoing through his lawyers, denying that he transferred personal financial losses to Nissan or acted in a way that constituted a breach of trust. Mr Ghosn’s lawyers have also said the claim that he under-reported his income is flawed because his compensation agreement wasn’t properly ratified.

Mr Ghosn’s aide Greg Kelly, who was arrested at the same time over his alleged role in helping the executive understate his pay, was released on a bail at 70 million yen (Dh2.3m) on December 25. Mr Kelly has also denied wrongdoing, saying he will restore his name in court. Nissan has dismissed Mr Kelly from his role as a representative director.

Mr Ghosn has been widely credited with saving Nissan from failure in the late 1990s and bringing it together with Renault. His arrest came after a months-long investigation by Nissan into his conduct, a probe that was largely kept from its French partner. That lack of transparency and concern that Nissan will use Mr Ghosn’s absence to push for more power within the alliance has heightened tensions between the two automakers.

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If eventually released on bail, Mr Ghosn’s movements would likely be restricted to his home or a hotel, and he would need court permission to leave the country, legal experts have said. Japan’s prosecutors have faced criticism for a lack of clarity and communication on how they are handling the case.

If proven, each of Mr Ghosn’s alleged offenses may carry a sentence of as much as 10 years, prosecutors have said. Nissan has also accused Mr Ghosn of misusing company funds, including over homes from Brazil to Lebanon and hiring his sister on an advisory contract.

The Ghosn drama has also raised questions about Nissan’s corporate governance, with the allegations spanning at least a decade. Nissan, as a company, was also indicted along with Mr Ghosn for the pay understatement. Chief executive Hiroto Saikawa has sought to reassure staff that the carmaker is addressing governance shortcomings.

Nissan’s board removed Mr Ghosn from the post of chairman on November 22. Renault, which is the biggest shareholder in Nissan, has refrained from removing Mr Ghosn, instead appointing interim replacements.

Renault’s most powerful shareholder, the French state, says Mr Ghosn is presumed innocent until proven guilty and has demanded Nissan share the evidence it’s collated against him.