Senate's Hearing On Nigeria's Aviation Minister's Case

A Senate committee holding hearings into the aviation sector in Nigeria yesterday shockingly heard how the Aviation Minister Stella Oduah spent $1.6 million on the purchase of two armored cars today, also the committee received further confirmation that the minister received several other cars from another agency under her control.

George Uresi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), admitted before the Senate's Aviation Committee, led by Hope Uzodinma, that FAAN bought four bullet-proof cars for Ms. Oduah at N70 million each.

According to a report, Mr. Uresi, the CEO of FAAN, did sweat profusely as he told Senator Uzodinma's committee that FAAN bought four bullet-proof cars for Ms. Oduah. He was sweating "bullets" even though the committee room was heavily air-conditioned.

According to Mr. Uresi, FAAN bought two armored Lexus limousine cars and two Prado armored sports utility vehicles (SUVs) for Ms. Oduah.

Senator Uzodinma gave Mr. Uresi till Monday to provide the paperwork for the purchase of the four cars his agency procured for the minister’s use.

Meanwhile, a source who works at FAAN said the deal for the purchase of the cars was done through a company linked to Ms. Oduah.

"The finance department of FAAN was not in the know of the purchase as the deal was done at the minister’s office with Uresi signing off on the deal."

Although Mr. Uresi admitted to the purchase, he refused to provide the Senate committee members with details of how the deal was finalized with a bank. He also refused to disclose if Coscharis Motors Limited was involved in the latest scandal.

Coscharis Motors, which is owned by Cosmas Maduka, was involved in the shady deal for the supply of the two BMWs paid for by the NCAA for the personal use of the minister.