According to SaharaReporters, they
have obtained documents further exposing
the depth of corruption and mismanagement of public funds at Nigeria’s Ministry
of Aviation headed by Stella Oduah. One of the documents details how Ms. Oduah
compelled the cash-strapped Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to
purchase two armored BMW cars for the minister. NCAA is the agency charged with
ensuring the airworthiness of commercial planes flying within Nigeria’s
airspace. Two officials of the agency told SaharaReporters that the NCAA did
not have enough funds to upgrade equipment, send staff for critical training,
and hire enough qualified staff. “Yet, all the minister is concerned about is
to have two exotic BMW cars from the little money we have for operations,” one
of the sources said. RECEIPTS OF PURCHASE AFTER THE CUT
The
documents obtained by SaharaReporters indicate that the transaction for the
purchase of the two BMW vehicles started in June 2013. However, the request for
delivery of and payment for the two vehicles was fast-tracked between August 13
and 15 2013. The transaction involved the NCAA, First Bank of Nigeria, and
Coscharis Motors Limited.
In
a letter dated August 13, 2013, J.D Nkemakolam of the NCAA sent a letter
to the Managing Director of Coscharis Motors asking the company to deliver to
the NCAA two BMW 760 armored vehicles based on a pro-forma invoice dated June
25, 2013 at the cost of N127, 575,000 ($796,846.21) each. The total amount for
the two vehicles came to N255,150,000, or $1,593,687.31. The NCAA’s letter
directed Coscharis Motors to deliver the vehicles with sales invoices, delivery
notes, and attestation documents.
Our
documents reveal that the payment for the vehicles was made into a First Bank
of Nigeria account (number 2018912995 with sort code: 0111152303), according to
a letter signed by Godwin Umeaka, Coscharis’ group financial controller.
The
two black BMW Li HSS vehicles had chases numbers WBAHP41050DW68032 and
WBAHP41010DW68044 respectively. The two cars were delivered to the NCAA on
August 13, 2013, where it was received by two store managers, F. Onoabhagbe and
Y.A. Amzat (who is also the agency’s head of transport). On August 15, 2013,
Sola Ogunsakin of the NCAA signed off to certify completion of the transaction.
In
an extensive investigation of the Aviation sector after three air mishaps in
Nigeria’s airspace, SaharaReporters found a pattern of questionable
expenditures authorized by the minister. Several insiders within the aviation
industry have told SaharaReporters that Ms. Oduah and President Goodluck
Jonathan had focused on the Aviation Ministry as a source for a series of
corrupt activities.
“Under
Mrs. Oduah, the ministry has carried out many big capital development projects.
But what outsiders don’t know is that these projects are being used to divert
big amounts into private pockets,” an aviation source said.
Our
sources disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had
investigated several corrupt practices in the aviation sector, but added that
the anti-corruption agency never had the backbone to act on their findings due
to political pressure from the Presidency.
Several
sources at the agency told SaharaReporters that they were not aware of the
whereabouts of the two BMW cars. Some of the sources stated that the cars were
handed to the minister who had converted them to private use.
Several
interest groups have been demanding the removal of Ms. Oduah, citing her
corrupt tendencies, mismanagement of aviation funds and incompetence. Under her
watch, the Nigerian airspace has witnessed several air mishaps that claimed the
lives of at least 140 people.
A
Presidency source told SaharaReporters that Ms. Oduah still retains the
confidence of President Jonathan. She is a close associate of Mr. Jonathan,
serving as the treasurer who handled funds for the Jonathan campaign during the
2011 presidential election. She also co-chaired the campaign group known as
Neighbor-To-Neighbor.
Minister
of Aviation BMW 760 Li HSS Armoured car documents
Source: SAHARA REPORTERS
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