SaharaReporters has 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.
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
Posted: at 16-10-2013 07:34 PM (10 years ago) | Upcoming
The rich become richer and the poor are becoming poorer!
No wonder Margaret Thatcher, a one time prime minister of England, refused to write off the debts owed by Nigeria.
We use our money foolishly - AVIATION ministry has money to buy armoured cars but not decent AEROPLANES. Funny that !!!
I can think of things Nigeria needs to acquire that are much cheaper than what S. Oduah has wasted our money on - things that will serve the country for the next 100 years!!
It's all about cars, houses, clothes, oversea's holidays, private schools/universities and other things Nigeria as a nation cannot boast of producing!
Still with all this, no foreign dignitaries or their citizens spend time in our nation and no one puts in a good word for us unless they want something from us!
We buy aeroplanes meant for scrap and fly Nigerians to their death.
We have pilots arguing at the controls killing passengers.
And then AVIATION spends $1.6m on armoured cars.
Well done. Keep it up!
And the Nobel Prize 2013 for Foolishness goes to Nigeria Aviation Ministry!
Posted: at 16-10-2013 08:03 PM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac
You done well Madam, when GOD will plan your own accident on 9ja road, your armoured vehicle will protect you well well as it's a strong and shiny brand new BMW,,,, with that money you spent you can buy a whole fairly used aircraft,,,,imagine how many beacon, localisers, and aircraft overall equipments you can buy,,,,To atheist, " don't you wish to have the Ultimate Judge inside heaven comedown to punish such selfish, wicked and unjust people like this woman?? I wish God exist and I believe He is there and He see the wicked among us "
Posted: at 16-10-2013 08:24 PM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac
odprince at 16-10-2013 08:41 PM (10 years ago) (m)
WHERE IS THE CFCC THAT ALWAYS ARREST YAHOO BOYS....WHAT HAPPEN TO THE MINISTERS AND POLITICIANS?THEY SETTLE WELL RIGHT?NAIJA IS IN TROUBLE.UNLESS YOU PEOPLE WILL VOTE FOR ME.......HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA
Posted: at 16-10-2013 08:41 PM (10 years ago) | Gistmaniac
ezzylife4real at 16-10-2013 10:35 PM (10 years ago) (m)
My good God dis ppl don finish Us why are they raking this country up side down like this ..why can't we have the love of this country in our heart and put every nigerians in2 big consideration why are we so wicked selfish and self centered I weep 4my belove country.
Posted: at 16-10-2013 10:35 PM (10 years ago) | Newbie
merion
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? I wish God exist and I believe He is there and He see the wicked among us "
Charivan
odprince
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