An ongoing investigation by SaharaReporters has revealed how Aviation Minister Stella Oduah compelled the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), a cash-strapped agency under her supervision, to borrow a huge amount from a commercial bank in order to buy her two bullet-proof cars.

The scandalous transaction, which is quite similar to the one that cost the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) $1.6 million to purchase two armored BMW cars, was also hatched using a loan facility from the First Bank of Nigeria.

Several sources at FAAN and First Bank told SaharaReporters that George Uriesi, the Managing Director of FAAN, conspired with Ms. Oduah to obtain a loan of N1.3 billion from First Bank. Part of the loan was used to buy 205 cars for several staff members, directors as well as board members of FAAN.

In addition, however, four armored cars were purchased for the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, and FAAN’s MD, Mr. Uriesi.

Our sources listed the cars bought for the minister as two “American Spec Lexus Limousines.” As happened in the NCAA deal, reliable sources at FAAN told SaharaReporters that the vehicles were never physically delivered to FAAN. Instead, some of our sources disclosed that the automobile vendor gave the minister over N150 million as kickbacks after First Bank of Nigeria had paid for the vehicle.

A FAAN source said the deal was done with Coscharis Motors Limited, a company owned by Cosmos Maduka. Mr. Maduka’s dealership was also involved in the fraudulent deal in which NCAA spent $1.6 million on the ostensible purchase of two bullet-proof BMW cars.

In an appearance before a panel of the House of Representatives investigating Ms. Oduah’s car scams, Mr. Maduka testified that he fraudulently used import waivers meant for Lagos State to import two armored cars for the minister. Yesterday, the committee of the House of Representatives revealed that two armored cars hurriedly brought to Abuja airport for inspection had chassis numbers that did not match those in the transaction between Coscharis and the NCAA.

Ms. Oduah appeared today before the House committee, offering a well choreographed response to questions about the BMW auto fraud. She claimed that her spokesperson’s earlier admission that the cars were purchased for her because of threats to her person were “inaccurate.” She also claimed that the vehicles were not meant for her but for aviation VIPs.

Some members of the committee appeared in a haste to swallow her well packaged lies. The committee seemed reluctant to ask Ms. Oduah hard questions, said a member of an anti-corruption group who witnessed the session. “Why were they not grilling Mrs. Oduah on how her spokesman, Joe Obi, could have issued a statement on such a sensitive issue without clearing it with her? Why would he say the cars were purchased for the minister’s safety and security, and now she’s suddenly claiming that they were bought for VIP guests of Aviation Ministry? How come NCAA personnel signed that the cars were delivered when they never saw the cars? And there is the most important question that any serious committee should ask: Why did she authorize the spending of nearly $800,000 to buy each car when the real price tag is not up to $200,000?”

The source said that, unfortunately, “oversight committees of the National Assembly have a reputation for letting corrupt government officials get off the hook in exchange for payoffs.”

The Senate committee for Aviation has summoned First Bank and FAAN to appear on Monday to explain the circumstances behind the extravagant automobile purchases.

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters has obtained documents showing that FAAN also went on a car-buying jamboree in 2011. A staff source said it was unconscionable that FAAN decided to spend a huge sum of borrowed cash to buy new vehicles in 2013 when the ones purchased in 2011 are still in use by the same people.

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/another-cash-strapped-aviation-agency-faan-borrowed-n13-billion-aviation-minister%E2%80%99s-bullet

Stella is a big thief

These people got a loan from FBN for these cars but then lied in their statements that it was a finance lease.

As you can see, we are dealing with hardened criminals. You will need Sergeant Rogers to torture these people to make them say the truth.

You and sahara reporters should do the needful..... Hang yourselves or better still hug a transformer.

Left for you to interpret the above statement as for me I have spoken.

[quote]Meanwhile, SaharaReporters has obtained documents showing that FAAN also went on a car-buying jamboree in 2011. A staff source said it was unconscionable that FAAN decided to spend a huge sum of borrowed cash to buy new vehicles in 2013 when the ones purchased in 2011 are still in use by the same people.[/quote]

Terrible!

So? FAAN bought 205 cars for Staff and operation including 4 armored cars, Whilst Lagos State Government bought 300 cars for just National Sports Festival!! Same would be obtained anywhere you look. Same WASTE everywhere. The question is why should all the attention be on the Aviation Ministry alone? What is driving this desperate focus on one Ministry?

Please don't stop here, create more thread for Oduah. Did she buy any private jet yet?

amarilo: Please don't stop here, create more thread for Oduah. Did she buy any private jet yet?

Do the needful.

nameo: So? FAAN bought 205 cars for Staff and operation including 4 armored cars, Whilst Lagos State Government bought 300 cars for just National Sports Festival!! Same would be obtained anywhere you look. Same WASTE everywhere. The question is why should all the attention be on the Aviation Ministry alone? What is driving this desperate focus on one Ministry?

they are doing the needful

Several sources at FAAN and
First Bank told
SaharaReporters that George
Uriesi, the Managing Director
of FAAN, conspired with Ms.
Oduah to obtain a loan of
N1.3 billion from First Bank.
Part of the loan was used to
buy 205 cars for several staff
members, directors as well as
board members of FAAN.

cars again?

This ministry should be converted to road instead of aviation.

Tolexander: cars again?

This ministry should be converted to road instead of aviation.

the ministry should be named Sahara car transport company of Oduah ltd.

nameo: So? FAAN bought 205 cars for Staff and operation including 4 armored cars, Whilst Lagos State Government bought 300 cars for just National Sports Festival!! Same would be obtained anywhere you look. Same WASTE everywhere. The question is why should all the attention be on the Aviation Ministry alone? What is driving this desperate focus on one Ministry?

Stella Oduah has killed certain peoples’ golden goose.

Prof Corruption:
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters has obtained documents showing that FAAN also went on a car-buying jamboree in 2011. A staff source said it was unconscionable that FAAN decided to spend a huge sum of borrowed cash to buy new vehicles in 2013 when the ones purchased in 2011 are still in use by the same people.

I bet most of these cars ended up with "ghost workers" too

eGuerrilla:

I bet most of these cars ended up with "ghost workers" too

Just the same way the 300 cars imported for the National Sports Festival went to ''ghost people'' too, right. Or where are those cars after the festival ended?

Tolexander: cars again?

This ministry should be converted to road instead of aviation.

Abi oh!! Funny but true

nameo: Just the same way the 300 cars imported for the National Sports Festival went to ''ghost people'' too, right. Or where are those cars after the festival ended?

Yes, I would like to know where those 300 cars ended up.

Oduah you in Aviation for God's sake buy private jet not cars. I want to see/hear some people committed suicide cos of you. Nigerians will not miss them population too much.

Mod if next thread on Oduah is not about private jet pls hide it.

No need for too much grammar. Sahara Reporters should just do the needful. Datz all!

berem: No need for too much grammar. Sahara Reporters should just do the needful. Datz all!

Lol. That is another name for fraud. Sahara reporters are expected not to do the needful.

I am completely dumbfounded to hear that ministry of aviation in Nigeria does not keep fleets of jets.

DerideGull:
I am completely dumbfounded to hear that ministry of aviation in Nigeria does not keep fleets of jets.

Yes o! That's why they have to do the needful to achieve that. We are now in the era of "doing the needful"

Dede m,ana m ekele o!

Dive-Bomber:
Prof corruption and other bitter vultures whose blood pressure is hitting the roof because of Stella Oduah, go and buy some petrol, drench yourselves and set yourselves on fire in protest over the purchase or armoured vehicles.

Those of you too wretched to afford petrol should look for the nearest tree and hang yourselves.

The true sons of their father should follow their father's example and reach out for rat poison, you know the man I am talking about na, he is una oga kpatakpata.

His name is a___lowo .

Fill in the blank. Lmao

No be me talk am oooo

Please do the needful.

Dive-Bomber:


Ehen, ibidola ikwudika nwannem nwanyi. Nwayi oma.

mtscheeew! All these strange monikers seeking for relevance. You better go and do the needful and stop fooling yourself.

Dive-Bomber:


Get lost for all care!!!!!!

Oya sorry no vex! Iwe gi adi kwala oku. was joking with you. Lol!

Hmmmm.

I give up