Oduah’s N225m armoured cars: EFCC begins probe •Mass sack looms in NCAA •Falana calls for documents

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.
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