Judge handling Oduah, Kashamu, Ex-NIMASA"s boss case transferred

LITIGANTS with cases at the Federal High Court in Lagos have to wait as the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, has approved the transfer of some judges to other divisions.

oduah

Among those leaving the Lagos Division are Justice Okon Abang, Justice Mohammed Yunusa, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke and Justice Musa Kurya.

Justice Abang, who barred the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from arresting Senator Buruji Kashamu for illicit drug dealing allegations, was transferred to Abuja.

His pending cases are: Former Presidential Adviser Kingsley Kuku Vs. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Honeywell Group Vs. Ecobank Plc.

Justice Yunusa, who granted the order restraining anti-graft agencies from arresting former Aviation Minister Princess Stella Oduah, was transfered to Enugu State.

Justice Aneke was transfered to Benue, while Justice Kurya to Plateau.

Justice Ibrahim Buba, expected to be moved to the North, will remain in Lagos.

Among cases before Justice Buba is: Former Director-General of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)  Patrick Akpobolokemi, on trial for fraud.

With the transfers, cases before the judges would begin afresh (de novo).

It was learnt that some litigants were unhappy that their cases would be further delayed.

A human rights group, Access to Justice (A2Justice) decried the transfers, saying such “arbitrary and routine” transfers of judges affect the speedy dispensation of justice.

A2J lamented that the transfer of judges, who have commenced but not completed trials, could have drastic and traumatising effects on litigants and escalate the cost of litigation.

“Such transfers of judges often times occur after the case has spent years on the docket of the court of the transferred judge,” it said.

According to A2J, to re-start cases that have spent years on a cause-list afresh is painful, agonising and hard on litigants.

“This would entail recalling witnesses and re-tendering evidence. Some of the cases affected  may also be fundamental rights cases, where issues of constitutional rights – including liberty or movement – may also be in question.

“These administrative transfers force litigants to outspend themselves to resolve disputes or find remedies, in view of additional expenses involved in re-litigating a matter.

“Transfers take their toll on, and burden witnesses too, some of whom may be unable, on health or other grounds, to return to court to give evidence again.

“When witnesses are unable to reappear to give evidence and a case is thereby prejudiced, this perpetuates, replicates and amplifies negative public impressions about our court system and its ability to uphold the rule of law and dispense justice freely and efficiently.

“No person affected by these transfers would have a positive impression of the court or how the courts take their responsibility to dispense justice,” A2J said.

The group urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to “adopt and issue a clear, enforceable policy that prevents any judge from being transferred or relocated from his or her court or division without an impact assessment of the effect of such transfers on cases.”

Judge handling Oduah, Kashamu, Ex-NIMASA"s boss case transferred

Bulletproof cars: Dismiss Oduah’s suit, FG tells court

The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation has asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to strike out a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed against it by a former Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah.

oduah

Oduah is seeking to restrain the AGF and others from probing her over the purchase of two armoured BMW cars by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority under her watch in 2013.

The ex-minister claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress government had perfected plans to try prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party, including herself, on trumped up charges in a Lagos State government-controlled court.

Oduah, who is now representing Anambra North in the Senate, is, through her lawyer, Mr. Ajibola Oluyede, urging the court to bar the respondents in the suit from being used by the Federal Government to unleash repression on her.

The 1st and 2nd defendants in the suit are the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission.

The case is now before Justice Okon Abang, after it was transferred from Justice Mohammed Yunusa, who granted Oduah an interim injunction on August 26, 2015, restraining the respondents from taking any action against her pending the determination of the main suit.

At the resumed proceedings before Justice Abang on Monday, a counsel from the Office of the AGF, Mr. T.A.Gazali, told the court that the AGF had filed a preliminary objection to Oduah’s suit, adding that same had also been served on Oduah’s lawyer, Oluyede.

Oluyede confirmed that the AGF’s preliminary objection had been served on him, adding that he had also filed a reply.

Justice Abang, however, said none of the processes was in the case file passed onto him from the former court.

He adjourned further proceedings in the case till November 24, 2015, by which time all the processes would have been before him.

The AGF, in its objection, is challenging the territorial jurisdiction of the Lagos division of the Federal High Court to hear Oduah’s suit on the ground that the alleged rights violation did not take place in Lagos.

Gazali is contending that by virtue of Section 46(1) of the constitution and Order 2 Rule 1 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure, only a court within the state where Oduah’s rights were allegedly violated could hear the case.

“From the whole of the applicant’s averments, there is nowhere she mentioned that her right was or is being breached by the respondents within the territorial space called Lagos.

“There is nothing to show that the applicant was invited, arrested or detained in Lagos by any of the respondents in the suit.

“The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos cannot assume jurisdiction to entertain alleged breach of fundamental rights that did not take place in Lagos State,” Gazali argued.

The AGF also said Oduah had not established any cause of action against it, having not proved that she had been invited, arrested or detained by the AGF.

“The applicant’s suit is not in conformity with Order IX of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, hence null and void.

“The applicant’s case for the most part is hypothetical and speculative,” Gazali said.

Bulletproof cars: Dismiss Oduah’s suit, FG tells court

Bulletproof Cars Scandal: Court hears Oduah suit in November

A Federal High in Lagos has further adjourned till November 16, 2015, to hear a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by a former Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah.

oduah

Oduah is seeking protection of the court from possible probe over the purchase of two armoured  BMW cars at a cost of N160m in 2013 by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority under her watch.

She had on August 26, 2015, obtained an interim injunction barring the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from taking any action against her, pending the determination of the suit.

Though, after granting the interim injunction on August 26, Justice Mohammed Yunusa adjourned hearing of the main case till October 2, 2015, the matter was however listed for hearing on Wednesday.

It was learnt that questions had trailed the granting of the interim order, necessitating the hearing of the case before the original adjourned date.

But when the case was called on Wednesday, Oduah, EFCC and the Inspector General of Police were not represented in court.

Only the  Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission was represented by its counsel, Funmilola Oluborode.

The ICPC’s counsel said hearing notice was not issued on the commission, adding that she only came to court on the instruction of one of her superiors, who had on Tuesday sighted the case on the case list for Wednesday.

In view of the absence of the other parties, Oluborode sought an adjournment till November 16.

The counsel, who said the ICPC had yet to file any response to Oduah’s suit, begged the court to adjourn the case to enable the commission file its defence.

Though the court pointed out that the suit was a fundamental rights enforcement suit which deserved urgent hearing, the ICPC counsel begged the court to adjourn till November to enable her superior appear in court in person to defend the case.

Yunusa consequently adjourned hearing of the suit till November 16, 2015.

Oduah, who is currently in the Senate representing Anambra North Senatorial District, had approached the court, claiming that the current government under the guise of anti-graft war, was making moves to persecute and humiliate her.

She claimed that the All Progressives Congress government had perfected plans to try prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party, including herself, on trumped up charges in a Lagos State Government-controlled court.

According to her, this ploy was to depopulate the PDP, so that Nigeria could become a one-party country.

She said unless the EFCC, ICPC and the AIG were barred, they would be used by the APC government to unleash a repression against her and other prominent PDP members, a situation that could “cause the country to recede to a one-party state, with gross adverse effects and irreparable damage to our nascent democracy.”

She said her persecution, which began in the build-up to the 2015 general elections, was spearheaded by the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, who was then Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chairman House’s Aviation Committee.

According to Oduah, the All Progressives Congress, in a desperate bid to capture power, began a campaign of calumny by demonising the most visible leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, including herself and others who were seen as pivotal to the re-election bid of  ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

She said as part of the APC’s campaign of calumny, the party’s leadership commissioned some faceless organisations to write letters to the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, accusing her of all manners of corrupt practices and offences in respect of her stewardship as the Minister of Aviation.

Bulletproof Cars Scandal: Court hears Oduah suit in November

Bulletproof cars: EFCC asks court to dismiss Oduah’s suit

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed a preliminary objection to the suit filed by a former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, seeking court’s protection from probe.

EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde

Oduah had on August 26, 2015 obtained an interim injuction barring the EFCC from taking any action against her as regards the purchase of two armoured BMW cars at a cost of N160m in 2013 by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority under her watch.

Justice Mohammed Yunusa of a Federal High Court in Lagos granted the order following an ex parte application by Oduah’s lawyer, Mr. R.A. Oluyede.

Also restrained by the order are the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission; the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police.

The judge barred the respondents and their agents from inviting or arresting Oduah for questioning pending the determination of her main suit.

But the EFCC, in its preliminary objection, is challenging the jurisdiction of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court to entertain the matter.

The anti-graft agency is contending that the suit was wrongly commenced in Lagos since the subject matter took place in Abuja.

Apart from this, the EFCC described Oduah’s claims as baseless and speculative, saying that the ex-minister failed to place enough material fact before the court to justify her claim that she was about to be invited or arrested.

The commission urged the court to reject Oduah’s suit for lacking in merit.

Oduah, who is currently in the Senate representing Anambra North Senatorial District, had approached the court claiming that the current government, under the guise of anti-graft war, was making moves to persecute and humiliate her.

She claimed that the All Progressives Congress government had perfected plans to try prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party, including herself, on trumped up charges in a Lagos State Government-controlled court.

According to her, this ploy was to depopulate the PDP so that Nigeria could become a one-party country.

She said her persecution, which began in the build-up to the 2015 general elections, was spearheaded by the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, who was then Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chairman House’s Aviation Committee.

According to Oduah, the All Progressives Congress, in a desperate bid to capture power, began a campaign of calumny by “demonising the most visible leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, including myself and others who were seen as pivotal to the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan.”

She said as part of the APC’s campaign of calumny, the party’s leadership commissioned some faceless organisations to write letters to the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, accusing her of “all manners of corrupt practices and offences in respect of my stewardship as Minister of Aviation.”

Oduah said despite her selfless service and the immense progress made under her watch, including the revamping of the country’s air transportation, Tambuwal still ordered her investigation based on the petitions containing “spurious and wild allegations.”

She said because of her electoral value and strategic politicking, she had been a target of the ploy by the APC to depopulate the PDP and distract its leaders with trumped up charges.

According to her, part of the APC plan was to charge PDP leaders “in a criminal trial in a Lagos State Government-controlled court.”

She, however, explained that the two armoured BMW purchased for N160m were for the purpose of conveying officials of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, who were in the country at that time for the routine inspection and certification of the 22 airports in the country, which were being rehabilitated under her watch.

She said the purchase of the armoured vehicles was necessitated to safeguard the lives of the foreign officials, since the inspection and certification of the airports coincided with “the peak of Boko Haram terrorists’ menace in the country, when the United Nations building and the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force were bombed in Abuja.”

“It was thus imperative that the NCAA, which is an apex regulatory authority in the Nigerian aviation industry, operating under the SARPs of the ICAO and subject to assessment by ICAO, acquire its own armoured vehicles for the use of the ICAO officials coming for inspection and certification at the time,” Oduah explained.

She added that the bulletproof vehicles were budgeted for in the 2013 budget, adding that they were duly procured in line with the Bureau of Public Procurement regulations.

The ex-minister said upon her assumption of office in 2011, she “quickly realised that the quest for direct foreign investment in Nigeria could not be optimally successful without world standard airports for international and domestic air travels.”

Because of this, she said, she therefore directed that the proposal of N9bn made for the rehabilitation of four airports be made to cover all the 22 airports in the country.

Begging the court to protect her, Oduah said unless the court intervened “the APC will unleash repression against her and others and this may cause the country to recede to a one-party state, with gross adverse effects and irreparable damage to our nascent democracy.”

Hearing of the main suit has been adjourned till October 2, 2015.

Bulletproof cars: EFCC asks court to dismiss Oduah’s suit

Why I approved bulletproof cars’ purchase, by Oduah

A former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, has justified the 2013 purchase of two bulletproof BMW cars by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

oduah

She told the Federal High Court in Lagos that the cars were not bought for her personal use.

The court, however, restrained anti-graft agencies from inviting her for questioning concerning the purchase.

The vehicles were said to have cost N255million, an amount that sparked outrage.

Justice Mohammed Yunusa barred the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting Oduah until her suit is determined.

A copy of the order, made on August 26, was obtained by our correspondent yesterday.

The judge also stopped the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector-General of Police from inviting the former minister for interrogation.

Oduah, who represents Anambra North in the Senate, said there was a move by the respondents to persecute and humiliate her.

She, however, explained that the vehicles were bought for the use of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) officials, who were in the country to inspect and certify the 22 airports being rehabilitated under her watch.

According to her, the vehicles were acquired to safeguard the foreign officials lives so that they would not be bombed, attacked or abducted by the rampaging Boko Haram insurgents, who were creating havoc in the Northeast.

Oduah said the bulletproof cars were especially necessary because the visit of the airport inspectors coincided with “the peak of Boko Haram terrorists’ menace in the country, when the United Nations building and the headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force were bombed in Abuja.”

“It was thus imperative that the NCAA, which is an apex regulatory authority in the Nigerian aviation industry, operating under the SARPs of the ICAO and subject to assessment by ICAO, acquire its own armoured vehicles for the use of the ICAO officials coming for inspection and certification at the time,” Oduah said.

She added that the bullet-proof vehicles were captured in the 2013 budget, adding that they were duly procured in line with the Bureau of Public Procurement regulations.

The ex-minister said upon her assumption of office in 2011, she “quickly realised that the quest for direct foreign investment in Nigeria could not be optimally successful without world standard airports for international and domestic air travels.”

Because of this, she said, she directed that the proposal of N9billion made for the rehabilitation of four airports be made to cover the 22 airports.

She said the respondents would be doing the bidding of her political enemies if they were not stopped.

In the papers she filed before the court, the former minister said the bid to arrest her for a crime she did not commit began as the general election approached.

According to her, the House of Representatives, led by Aminu Tambuwal (now Sokoto State governor), and its Committee on Aviation, were especially out to get her.

But the lawmakers’ move, she said, was part of a grand plan by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to capture power by all means.

The party, she said, carried out a campaign of calumny by “demonising” the most visible leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Being a frontline PDP member, she also became a target, especially as she was seen as playing a crucial role towards the realisation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid.

She said as part of the APC’s campaign of calumny against her and others, the party’s leadership commissioned some faceless organisations to write letters to the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation.

Among others, she said she was falsely accused of “all manners of corrupt practices and offences in respect of my stewardship as Minister of Aviation.”

Oduah said was shocked by the allegations because the aviation ministry under her watch was run in the cleanest manner imaginable.

The former minister said despite her selfless service to Nigeria and the posive changes made by the ministry under her  watch, including the revamping of the country’s air transportation, Tambuwal still ordered her investigation based on the petitions containing “spurious and wild allegations.”

She said because of her electoral value and strategic politicking, she had been a target of the ploy by the APC to weaken the PDP and distract its leaders with trumped up charges.

According to her, part of the APC plan was to charge PDP leaders “in a criminal trial in a Lagos State Government-controlled court.”

Oduah said unless the court intervened, “the APC will unleash repression against her and others and this may cause the country to recede to a one-party state, with gross adverse effects and irreparable damage to our nascent democracy.”

Justice Yunusa adjourned to October 2 for hearing of her suit.

Why I approved bulletproof cars’ purchase, by Oduah

Court Orders First Bank To Disclose Details Of BulletProof Cars By Stella Oduah

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered First Bank Plc to disclose details of the loan facility it granted the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority for the purchase of the two controversial bulletproof BMW cars for the former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, in 2013.

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Public outcry had followed the purchase when the information leaked that the vehicles had cost N255m.

Justice Mohammed Yunusa in his judgment in a suit instituted against the bank by a civil society group, Enough is Enough Nigeria, held that the bank was bound by the provisions of Sections 2(7) and 31 of the Freedom of Information Act to release the details.

The judge held that the bank could not hide under the cover of being a private company to deprive the plaintiff of the information.

EiE Nigeria had on October 30, 2013, filed the suit under the provisions of the FoI Act, following the bank’s refusal to disclose the information to the group as earlier requested from the bank.

First Bank was said to have denied the group’s request without disclosing any reason.

Justice Yunusa had on April 28 delivered a similar judgment against Coscharis Motors Limited which supplied the vehicles to the NCAA. The NCAA stated that it had appealed the judgment.

The judge in dismissing First Bank’s defence anchored on being a private company noted that the bank did not deny EIE’s claim that it collected levies and taxes on behalf of the government.

It ruled that Sections 1(3) and 20 of the FOI Act gave EIE the right to apply to the court to compel the First Bank to disclose the information that it applied for.

The court held that the objective of the FOI Act, as stated in its preamble, was to make public records and information more freely available.

Justice Yunusa granted the reliefs prayed for by EIE.

The court, however, refused to issue an order directing the Attorney-General of the Federation to initiate criminal proceedings against First Bank.

But the court asked EIE to write formally to the Attorney-General.

The suit was filed on behalf of EIE last January 9 by Mr. Ayodeji Acquah of Media Rights Agenda Network.

EIE asked for the original documents including pro-forma invoice(s) from the supplier, request letter from the NCAA and insurance certificate for the assets (the BMW vehicles); rationale for approval including the credit application (or an acceptable alternative) originating the request and details of the approving authority; and offer letter to the NCAA stating the terms and conditions of the loan facility.

Court Orders First Bank To Disclose Details Of BulletProof Cars By Stella Oduah

President Jonathan Swears In Chidoka As Minister Of Aviation

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday inaugurated former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Osita Chidoka, as the new Minister of Aviation.

Chidoka replaces Stella Oduah, who was sacked by Jonathan on February 12th, 2014 after a series of investigative reports done by Saharareporters exposed her involvement in a web of certificate scandals, as well as the scandalous purchase of two BMW armored cars for $1.6 million.

Also sacked with Oduah on the day, even though it was disguised as voluntary resignations, were Minister of the Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe; Minister of Police Affairs retired Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, and Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama.

After swearing in Chidoka just before the Federal Executive Council began its meeting, Jonathan announced the replacement of Chidoka as FRSC boss with Boboye Oyeyemi, who until now was Deputy Corps Marshal.

Dr. Suleman Abubakar was also named as the Minister for National Planning; Abubakar was lecturer at the University of Abuja. He will simultaneously work as Deputy Chairman of the National Planning Commission.

 

BY SAHARAREPORTERS,

President Jonathan Swears In Chidoka As Minister Of Aviation

Return N255m bulletproof cars - House tells NCAA

The House of Representatives has mandated the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to return the controversial bulletproof cars bought for the use of former Minister of Aviation  Ms Stella Oduah to its suppliers and the money paid for it recovered.The cars were bought for N255m.

House Aviation Committee Chair Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha stated this yesterday during an oversight visit to the NCAA offices in Lagos. The committee probed the deal which went awry and made recommendations to the House.

Onyejeocha said the committee insisted that the NCAA must return the controversial cars to the suppliers because the house was not satisfied with the relationship between the bank that facilitated the purchase of the cars and the aviation agency.

She said should the NCAA fail to return the cars to its suppliers, the committee would be forced to call for a public hearing on the issue.

She said:” Those bulletproof cars should be returned to the suppliers and the money recovered. We will call public hearing on the matter of they fail to return the cars.”

The committee mandated aviation agencies to communicate to it in writing their response to all issues raised before next week to enable it take a position on their activities.

Also yesterday, Ms Oduah admitted that low interest loans were obtained during her tenure to finance projects under the Aviation Master Plan.

But she was silent on the actual figure of the debt she left behind.

Oduah, who opened up on the controversial N174billion debt in the ministry, asked the managers in the aviation sector to keep faith with the Master Plan which can pay the debt and leave surplus.

The former Minister spoke through her Special Assistant, Dr. Daniel Tarka,in a statement in Abuja.

Although the statement disputed the N174billion debt, Oduah was not forthcoming on the actual worth of the loans obtained.

The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to media reports that the Ministry of Aviation under the immediate past Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah incurred a staggering debt of N174billion under the aviation Master Plan. Nothing can be further from the truth.

”While we commend the National Assembly, especially the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation for supporting and keying into the aviation Master Plan, it is however, imperative to put the records straight on the alleged indebtedness,  the loans obtained during that period and the mode of repayment.

”The agenda for the transformation of the aviation sector which warranted the conceptualization of the Master Plan was for the industry to be fully self sustaining by 2016; and begin to yield additional revenue for government through improved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

“In order to achieve the above objectives, we embarked on the upgrade and rehabilitation of the 22 federally-owned airports across the country under the Airport Remodelling Programme (ARP).

“As part of measures to effectively implement the Master Plan, several sources of funding were identified. These include, (i) Annual budgetary allocations; (ii) Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), including airport development levy and security surcharge; (iii) Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) funds; (iv) Low interest loans, amongst others.

”Besides the statutory approvals, the ministry designed the projects with in-built capacities to generate funds without having to place any further financial burden on the Federal Government within the period.”

She said the projects under the Master Plan  were not meant for 2013 alone.

She added: “It must also be stressed that these projects were not designed to start and end in 2013, and so, were not tied to the 2013 budget alone.

“The Master Plan, it must be noted again, wasn’t designed with only the 2013 budget cycle in mind. It was conceptualized to be implemented as a process and not a destination.

“Therefore, the projection of revenue streams within the life span of the Master Plan are such that all projects would be adequately financed from budgetary allocations and the identified revenue sources; with the high possibility of surpluses that can subsequently be deployed for the repayment of the loans on maturity after the period of moratorium. The question of liabilities therefore, do not arise.

”We are convinced that an efficient and effective implementation of the Master Plan would guarantee the realisation of these revenue projections, facilitate the seamless implementation of the projects and ensure the rapid development of the sector into a net revenue earner for the government within the next three years.

”We therefore implore the current managers of the sector to exploit these well-laid foundations that were left behind by the former minister and her team.”

Return N255m bulletproof cars - House tells NCAA

Federal suspends Stella Oduah Aviation Projects

Some projects initiated by the former Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, will be suspended, the Federal Government has said.

According to the government on Monday, the suspension of the projects is due to paucity of funds to continue them as well as the mounting financial indebtedness faced by the ministry.

The Supervising Minister for Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom, who replaced Oduah following her sacking by President Goodluck Jonathan, said the Federal Government had commenced a holistic review of projects embarked upon by the ministry.

Ortom spoke during the visit of the Senate Committee on Aviation, led by its Chairman, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

Jonathan had in February relieved Oduah of her duties as a minister. The former Aviation minister had embarked on a number of remodelling projects across most airports in the country and the government had borrowed billions of naira to actualise the projects.

Ortom explained that some loans obtained for the construction of four cargo airports in the country had accrued interests amounting to billions of naira.

He noted that it was in the best interest of the country to strategise on how to settle the debt and review some of the projects.

The supervising minister said, “We have met with the Ministry of Finance and we are setting up an inter-ministerial committee to review the projects. We have looked at the figures and based on paucity of funds, we feel that something needs to be done.

“We are going to review these projects to see where we can, at least for now, suspend some of the projects that have yet to take off so that we can bring the figure down and work towards working within the releases from the appropriation so that we can settle the ongoing projects.”

Ortom further said the government would, henceforth, prioritise projects in the sector, stressing that the ministry was faced with huge financial challenges.

He said, “We are going to prioritise, because in a situation where we have this kind of huge challenges, we have to prioritise what we do. Challenges are meant to be overcome by the operators. By the time we put heads together with the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office of the Federation, we must find a way out.

“There is a roadmap and we have no other choice but to complete this road map that was approved by the Federal Executive Council and ably supported by the National Assembly.

“So, we have set up a committee that is going to look at that and also not just verifying those indebtedness, but also finding the source of funding for these projects.”

On whether he was not worried about the level of indebtedness by the ministry, Uzodinma said the government would find a way to address the issue.

“Most importantly, the projects as conceived are very important projects that are necessary, and if for budgetary constraints they are not moving forward, we will find a way. There is no problem without resolution and we will through constructive partnership resolve the problem,” Uzodinma said.

Meanwhile, indications emerged on Monday that the Presidency might have backed down on the planned merger of some aviation agencies.

This, according to sources, may have been as a result of intense pressure from stakeholders in the sector, who advised the Presidency against the move.

The Federal Government had last month announced its approval of the merger of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and Nigerian Meteorological Agency as part of efforts to restructure its commissions and agencies.

But key stakeholders in the aviation industry had mounted pressure on the government to rescind the decision, arguing that the merger was not good for the sector.

A reliable source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he had not been permitted to speak on the issue, confirmed the change of heart by the government to our correspondent on Monday.

He said, “It is very likely that the planned merger has been cancelled by the Federal Government, although it seems they are trying to keep it away for now.

“I believe it is the efforts of the various aviation agencies kicking against the merger that have brought about the change of decision; I’m sure there will be an official announcement to this effect in the next few days.”

Confirming this, the National President, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Mr. Benjamin Okewu, said the Presidency seemed to have listened to stakeholders’ pleas and reconsidered the planned merger.

He said as a result, the association had shelved its planned two-day warning strike to protest the proposed merger of the agencies.

“The planned strike was suspended due to the credible information that President Goodluck Jonathan has listened to the cries of the aviation workers,” he said.

He said the union was awaiting the final pronouncement by the Presidency on the discontinuation of the merger.

In a statement jointly signed by Okewu and the Deputy General Secretary, ATSSSAN, Mr. Tarnongu Captain, the association also urged the government to expedite approval and disbursement of funds to complete the remodelling of airport terminals as well as install of navigational and aeronautical facilities.

In April, aviation watchdog, the Aviation Round Table, had said it was against the merger of the agencies, stressing that the plan was wrong.

The ART said in a statement by its President, Capt. Dele Ore, “The Presidential Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of Federal Parastatals, Commissions and Agencies, headed by the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsanye recommended the merging of NCAA, NIMET and NAMA to form a single agency of aviation. The government has however accepted this ridiculous state of affairs. To avoid any further embarrassment, the contemplated merger should not be materialised.”

Less than a month later, in the first week of May, the Trade Union Congress also joined calls for the plan to be shelved.

In a communique it issued on May 3, TUC described the plan as “inappropriate, ill-timed and at variance with Nigeria’s obligation as a signatory to Chicago Convention 1944.”

It added, “In this age of specialisation, it makes no progressive sense to merge such regulatory agency as NCAA with service providers NAMA and NIMET as doing so will distract the NCAA from concentrating on its core statutory mandate of over sighting the safety and security of civil aviation.”

Copyright – Punch

Federal suspends Stella Oduah Aviation Projects

Armoured car: EFCC questions Stella Oduah for more than 5hours

FORMER Aviation Minister Stella Oduah was a guest of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday.

She was grilled for about five and half hours over the N255million bulletproof cars’ scam, which led to her sack.

The ex-minister got a provisional bail following the need to re-invite her for more questioning. But it was unclear last night when Oduah will return to the commission.

A team is analysing the ex-minister’s response to identify areas for further clarification.

It was gathered that Oduah arrived quietly at the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja at about 10am.

She was ushered into the Operations Department of the anti-graft agency where she was questioned till 3.30pm.

A source, who spoke in confidence, described Oduah’s mood as “pensive”.

The source said: “The team asked her to explain what led to the purchase of two bulletproof (armoured cars) for N255million; the purpose; and whether there was appropriation for it or not in the 2013 budget.

“She was asked for evidence of due process or concurrence/ approval by the Bureau of Public Procurement and whether her approval value was not above the limit of Ministerial Tenders Board or not.

“She was also asked to confirm if she was aware that the approved revised thresholds for service wide application (pursuant to Section 16(2) Public Procurement Act 2009 put a minister’s limit at N100million.”

Another source said: “We also isolated issues raised by former heads of agencies in the aviation industry when they appeared before EFCC. She was directed to make some clarifications.

“This interrogation is just the first in the series. We will study her statement on oath and definitely ask follow-up questions.”

Responding to a question, the source added that the EFCC was in receipt of the reports of an Administrative Committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan and House of Representatives Committee on Aviation on the car scam.”

Oduah got a “provisional bail”. This is the first time the EFCC has given a provisional bail. The agency is known for “administrative bail” system.

An official of the commission said: “The provisional bail is a temporary measure. If there is need to detain her subsequently, we will do so.

“She has been told that she might be re-invited soon by the commission.”

The President, on February 11, sacked Ms Oduah from the cabinet alongside three others.

Others are: Godswill Orubebe (Niger Delta), Caleb Olubolade (Police Affairs) and Yerima Ngama (State for Finance).

Prior to her sack, the President in October 2013, set up a three-man Administrative Panel of Inquiry into the car scandal.

The panel comprised a former Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Sali Bello, the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and Air Vice Marshal Dick Iruenebere (rtd.).

Also, the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation investigated the scandal.

The Committee listed 12 infractions against Oduah and made some recommendations.

The report said in part: “Based on the findings of the Committee and in line with its terms of reference, the following recommendations are made:

•Given the fact that the two BMW armoured vehicles procured in the process were not provided for in the 2013 Appropriation Law nor was due process followed in their procurement, the Ministry of Aviation and NCAA should terminate with immediate effect all transactions and loan agreement it entered into with First Bank Nigeria Plc and all contracts awarded thereto;

•That all monies so far spent on the entire transaction should be recovered and returned back to the Federation Account;

•The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria should review the continued engagement of the Hon. Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, having contravened the Appropriation Act and Approved Revised Thresholds by exceeding her approval limit of N100m with the purchase of 54 vehicles value at N643m

•That EFCC and other relevant anti-corruption agencies should: (a) Further investigate the discrepancies in the chassis Number DW68032 of the vehicles on the one reported to be delivered and the one inspected by the committee; and (b) Further investigate and if found wanting, prosecute all persons/ institutions involved in the transaction

•The former Acting DG, Mr. Nkemakola Joyce and Director of Finance, Mr. S. Ozigi, should be sanctioned in accordance with the Civil Service Rules for deliberately breaching the 2013 Appropriation Act/ Extant Laws of the Federation

•That Coscharis Motors Nigeria Limited should be investigated on the issue of waiver, source and exact cost of the two BMW vehicles supplied to NCAA;

•Coscharis should be made to pay the value of the waiver into treasury account.

Armoured car: EFCC questions Stella Oduah for more than 5hours

I can justify my deed in office, says Stella Oduah

Former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, yesterday justified her deeds in office, saying that she acted with dignity.

Appraising herself before a gathering of stakeholders in the aviation industry, including civil servants and pilots, Oduah, whose tenure was rocked by her purchase of two bulletproof cars for N255 million, insisted that she did “the right thing” while in office.

She said because there is dignity in labour, she did her beat, urging the stakeholders to also do their beats for posterity to judge them fairly.

She said she was sure that with the support of the stakeholders, her successor would “do the needful,” noting that a structure is already in place for her successor to exceed the feat she recorded.

Oduah maintained that Nigerians deserved selfless service, which she said the ministry and stakeholders under her watch collectively offered.

The former minister was in high spirits throughout the session.

With a retinue of admirers, she strolled into the Protea Hotel, Asokoro venue of the event at 12.06 pm in a purple gown with silver embroidery and a purple head tie to match.

She ignored the speech her media aide, Mr. Joe Obi, prepared for her and spoke extempore .

Oduah said : “I want to thank everybody in the ministry for their support. It was Einstein that said I am strong as I am because you allowed me to stand on your shoulders, and all of you here allowed me to stand on your shoulders and so I want to say thank you.

“Most of you don’t know Obi. He likes to write and he has given me five pages to read. Obi, my apologies, I want to decline.

“I am not going to read this because I really don’t have anything to say but to say that what we did, we did it collectively.

“And what we did, we did for our people, and I say Nigerian people deserve what we have done and I believe that anyone who is coming next will do far better than what we have done because the structures are there, the roadmap is there, the compass is there.

“They cannot but follow what is already in place. Anything other than that will be disservice to Nigerian people, and aviation is pivotal to our growth.

“Therefore, the next coming person, I believe with your support will do the needful. Most people don’t understand what the needful means…

“Today is a day for me to tell Nigerians that there is dignity in labour. You must do anything and everything in prioritising what Nigerian people need and what they deserve, and when you do that, posterity will not judge you unfairly.

“Also when we started, we did not play to the gallery. We did not prioritise the media because it was not about them; it was about Nigerian people; it was about doing the right thing. And without being immodest, I think we did the right thing, I think we have done our beat and we pray that the next people will do their beats. And if all of us continue doing our beats, Nigeria will become transformed.

“I want to thank Mr. President for the opportunity given to serve in spite the large population, it is a privilege and i am indeed privileged to serve Nigerians and i thank everyone for their support.” (0)

I can justify my deed in office, says Stella Oduah

Ex-Sport minister gets praises while Oduah gets bashing

Of the five ministers sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan recently, two of them are avid users of the social media. They are the former sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi; and ex-aviation minister, Stella Oduah. While Abdullahi is active on Twitter, Oduah maintains a presence on both Twitter and Facebook.

The two ex-ministers embraced the new media shortly after assuming office in 2011. Oduah began tweeting on July 7, 2011, three days after being deployed to the aviation ministry.

Abdullahi, who stated his objective of using the new media as a platform for “engaging the Nigerian youth in incisive and extensive discussions,” tarried till August 22, 2011, before signing up for the micro-blogging service.

However, the two ex-members of the Federal Executive Council have since edited their profiles on the social media to reflect their new status as former public office holders.

Abdullahi, on his Twitter bio, says Nigerians should now address him as a “Thinker, writer, and problem solver.”

His former description on the micro-blogging service reads, “Honorable Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Oduah, who was sacked on February 12, has hinted that she might still be available for any national assignment.

She now states on Twitter that in spite of everything, she still remains committed to the policies and programmes of the Jonathan administration.

Bolaji Abdulahi, Sport Minister

Her new description on Twitter states, “Former Minister of Aviation, Federal Government of Nigeria. (I’m) dedicated to the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President.”

For the two ex-ministers online, it’s different strokes for different folks. While many Nigerians have continued to pour accolades on Abdullahi and wishing him the best, such could not be said of Oduah.

Checks on Twitter show that some angry Nigerians appear not to have forgiven her for approving the purchase of two bullet-proof cars for a whopping N255m.

For instance, one Smile Calferry is still angry with the ex-minister. Calferry, in a tweet to Oduah notes, “What happened to the BMW you bought? You can’t take it home with you. Nigeria will not remember you for good because our airports are still in a mess!”

However, Abdullahi has received myriads of goodwill messages from Nigerians online, as many question the rationale behind his removal.

According to them, Abdullahi was one of the most performing ministers in Jonathan’s cabinet and he made his mark on Nigerian sports.

Political blogger, Japheth Omojuwa, tweets that if he is asked to make a choice, he would nominate Abdullahi as the best performing FEC member.

He says, “He is my nominee for the Minister of Year 2013. Although he has been sacked by the Nigerian government, he can hold his head high. Better than the rest of them and he will always have my respect, for his service to God and country.”

Information and Communications Technology Consultant, Obi Asika, says Abdullahi’s sacking was saddening; noting that he did an excellent job as a minister.

“I was saddened to learn that Abdullahi is no longer our sports minister. He did an excellent job and can hold his head high,” Asika tweeted.

Kayode Akintemi says he wonders why “one of the youngest, brightest, most dynamic and result-oriented ministers” in Jonathan’s cabinet was sacked.

However, Adegboye Abeeb sends a message of encouragement to Abdullahi, asking him not to be perturbed by the sacking.

“Don’t be disturbed by the sacking. The most important thing is that Nigerians acknowledged your performance. Good trees don’t last long in the forest. Nigerians appreciate you, Mr. Abdullahi. You were the best minister in GEJ’s cabinet,” Abeeb tweets.

Amid the criticisms that have been pouring in for Oduah, some smart entrepreneurs have begun taking advantage of her presence to advertise their goods and services to her online.

A particular make-up artiste, Ajoke Fowoshade, has offered her services to Oduah. Fowoshade, who also deals in clothes, states that she will be willing to clothe the former minister now that she is out of office and also supply her other fashion accessories if she seals a deal with her.

Fowoshade, in a tweet to Oduah says, “Your Excellency ma, we do make-up, beads, Aso Oke of the highest quality and design, as well as aso ebi for your personal use. You can please contact us.” (0)

Ex-Sport minister gets praises while Oduah gets bashing