Oduah's N225m armoured cars: EFCC begins probe

STRONG indications emerged on Monday that the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has
commenced an investigation into the controversial
customised cars purchased by the embattled Minister of
Aviation, Stella Oduah.
Spokesperson of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, neither
confirmed nor denied the development.
He told the Nigerian Tribune that it was not a part of the
commission's ethics and ethos to talk about ongoing alleged
corruption investigation.
When asked to confirm if the probe had commenced, he
retorted "which probe? You should know that the
commission does not talk about what it is doing in the
public."
A top system source, however, revealed that the commission
had started beaming its searchlight on the issues raised over
the controversial purchase, but would be too early to say
anyone was guilty.
The source added that it was an automatic process for the
commission, once a public officer was mentioned in any
alleged fraud, adding that Oduah's case was not different
from others which had gone through the same process in the
past.
It was further gathered that the ongoing probe was triggered
immediately issues of corruption came into the purchase,
with the source reminding that the commission did not need
petitions to commence probe.
The source added that what the commission would be doing
for now was gathering information on the matter and send
same to the legal department to determine whether a prima
facie case of corruption had been established.
Until then, according to the source, any actions taken
against the minister would be premature.
"Until the legal department advises that the case is ok for
court, nothing could be done, despite the clamour by
Nigerians asking the commission to act," the source said.
Mass sack looms in NCAA
PALPABLE fear has enveloped the Nigerian Civil Aviation
Authority (NCAA) premises, over the news of an imminent
mass sack of workers by the present management.
The sack may not be unconnected with the recent leakage of
a confidential information on the transaction deal entered
into by the regulatory agency to buy two security armoured
cars for the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, at a sum of
N255 million.
Since the whistle was blown open by an online publication,
many Nigerians had reacted angrily to it, describing the
amount involved as outrageous and fraudulent.
Many had even called for the removal of the minister on the
ground that the decision to buy such expensive security cars
for her contradicted the accidents the sector had recorded in
the recent past.
Beside this, those calling for the minister's head also
attributed their positions to the fact that the regulatory
agency that purchased the armoured cars were currently in a
financial predicament that they could no longer send their
technical staff out for trainings.
Following the embarrassment the revelation of the
controversial deal had caused the Federal Government, the
Director-General of NCAA, Captain Folashade Akinkuotu,
had announced plans to launch an investigation to unravel
those behind the leakage of the official information.
Akinkuotu, while speaking at a press conference in Abuja,
described the information leakage as criminal, saying the
action posed danger to a sensitive government agency like
the NCAA.
The declaration of the NCAA boss to set up a committee to
probe the leakage had created tension within the agency, as
workers who spoke under anonymity, expressed the fear
that the management may use the opportunity to sack
innocent people or those they found not loyal.
It was also gathered that the sack may be extended to other
aviation parastatal agencies where some key people may be
included.
The looming sack, if eventually carried out, may create
more tension in the sector, as it may be interpreted to mean
intimidation.
When the Nigerian Tribune visited the regulatory body to
observe the mood of the workers, on Monday, the
atmosphere was tensed, even as the workers went about
their jobs with suspicion and uncertainty.
Falana calls for documents
LAGOS-based lawyer and activist, Mr Femi Falana, on
Monday, asked the Managing Director of the Nigerian Civil
Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Folashade Akinkuotu,
to produce the certified true copies of the documents
relating to the purchase of the controversial N255million
armoured cars, including budgetary approval and due
process for the entire transaction within the next seven days.
Falana made the demand under the Freedom of Information
(FOI) Act, in a letter dated October 21, 2013, entitled:
"Request For Information On N225 million Amoured Cars
For Aviation Minister, Ms Stella Oduah."
Falana, in the letter signed on his behalf by Adedotun Isola-
Osobu, threatened to initiate legal proceedings against the
NCAA boss if he failed to accede to his request within the
time stipulated.
The request by Falana for the information on the
controversial purchase of the N255 million armoured cars
was sequel to a media briefing addressed on the matter by
the NCAA boss in Abuja, on Friday.
"In your press conference in Abuja on Friday, October 18,
you did admit that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority
(NCAA) actually bought the controversial armoured cars
and that it is customary to convey the minister and visiting
dignitaries in security vehicles whenever they are in
Nigeria.
"In the light of your claim at the said press conference, we
are compelled to request you to make available to us
certified true copies of the documents relating to the
purchase of the cars, including budgetary approval and due
process for the entire transaction.
"Since you claimed that it is customary to purchase such
cars for aviation minister and visiting foreign dignitaries,
you are also requested to provide the records of previous
purchase of armoured cars by the Aviation Ministry or the
NCAA.
"Take notice that you are mandatorily required to supply
the requested information within seven days of the receipt
of this letter by virtue of the provisions of the Freedom of
Information Act, 2011," part of the letter read.

Culled from Nigeria tribune