N255m car scandal: Committee indicts Oduah, NCAA

stella_oduah
Indications emerged Wednesday that the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation have indicted the Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah, and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, over their roles in the purchase of the N255M bulletproof cars.

The Committee has been investigating the controversia bulletproof BMW cars allegedly purchased by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, for Oduah at an outrageous N255m.

However, in defence of herself before the committee chaired by Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Stella denied being the official owner of the cars, and was expected to make another appearance before the Committee on Wednesday, but failed to do so due to the Federal Executive Council meeting scheduled for the same day..
However, it has been revealed that the report of the investigation shall be made public today (Thursday).

Sources have squealed that members of the panel had established some infractions against Stella and NCAA.

It has been revealed that “at least four issues are no longer disputable.
According to findings by the PUNCH newspaper, one of the issues is “extra-budgetary spending”, while the second is “approval beyond ministerial limit.”

“violation of public procurement procedures.” was also part of the infractions as revealed by the source.
panel had similarly noted that, “indeed, N255m was spent to buy two bulletproof BMW cars and the use of waivers meant for EKO Games to import the cars.”

The source further revealed that, “Some infractions have been established, no doubt.
“The recommendations of the committee will follow glaring issues that came up during the public hearing.
“For example, it has been established that while the National Assembly approved N240m for the NCAA to buy 25 vehicles this year, it spent over N643m to procure 54 vehicles.

“That is a case of extra-budgetary spending.
“We have heard the minister admitting that she acted on a proposal for lease financing of N564m.
“Whether she was not properly guided as she told the committee or not, what is clear is that the figure is above the N100m that a ministerial board can approve.

“What role did the Bureau of Public Procurement play in this transaction? No role at all; another infraction.
“The BPP came here to testify and they told us that there was no communication between them and the NCAA over the transaction.”

Meanwhile, the Minister is expected to appear before the Committee today (Thursday) for conclusion on the matter.

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