Senator Stella Oduah
diverted part of N9.5 billion fund for security equipment at airports during
her tenure as Minister of Aviation, the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) has said.
Senator Oduah, who was Minister of Aviation between 2012 and
2014, allegedly connived with banks officials to
perpetrate the fund diversion
and allegedly used the money to procure broadcast equipment for Crystal
Television Ltd., newspaper printing press, six dredgers and quarry.
The anti-graft agency made these claims in an affidavit to
support a suit filed before the Federal High Court against the senator.
The EFCC has already secured an interim forfeiture order on the
items allegedly procured with the diverted fund. The order was granted on
October 18 by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Division of the FHC. The case
will come up for further proceedings on November 19.
The agency said some of the dredgers and other items are being
kept in many parts of the country, particularly in Bayelsa, Rivers and the
Federal Capital Territory.
The EFCC’s affidavit said: “On the 13th of July 2013, the EFCC
received a petition written against the former Minister of Aviation, Princess
Stella Oduah, alleging that she used her position as minister to swindle
Federal Government of about N22billion.
“Another petition by the National Union of Air Transport
Employees (NUATE) was. received on 22nd of July 2013 alleging financial recklessness,
duplication of contracts, theft and abuse of due process against the former
minister.
“Preliminary investigation conducted revealed the following
facts: On 7th September, 2012 the Federal Ministry of Aviation awarded a
contract for the procurement and installation of security equipment at the
nation’s 22 airports to I-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd at the cost of
N9,443,549,531.25 only and the award was accepted by I-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd
through its letter dated. 8th September 2012.
“I-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd entered into a contract agreement
with the Federal Ministry of Aviation, dated 11th September 2012
“I-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd opened an account known as ‘Project
Account 2’ for the execution of the contract with First Bank of Nigeria Plc,
No: 2021756955 based on an already existing mandate of an account opened
earlier with the bank on the instruction of the Minister of Aviation.
“The signatories to the earlier account opened by I-Sec Security
Nigeria Ltd with First Bank Plc are Ayokunle Ajayi and Apochi Igho.
“One Mrs. Shade Omoniyi, then Group. Head, Public Sector of
First Bank, Lagos was I-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd’s account officer, who
oversees and monitors the operation of the Project Account 2.
“On the 8th October 2012 the Federal Ministry of Aviation
transferred the sum of N5,652,650,414.98 to I-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd’s
Project Account 2.
“The Ministry of Aviation exercised a lien on the funds paid
into I-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd’s Project Account 2 as the company could only
make withdrawals from the account based on milestones attained, but on the
express approval given in writing by the former minister.
“I-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd on 11th. June 2013 withdrew and
utilised the sum of N1,476,237,652.20 for the purchase of security equipment
through Form M.
“The former minister abused her office and position and
fraudulently conspired with Mrs. Shade Omoniyi, between 13th September 2013.
and 5th February 2013 to transfer the sum of N3,289,530,738.00 from I-Sec
Security Nigeria Ltd’s Project Account 2. to five companies linked to the
former minister, without the authorisation of the two signatories to the
account – Messrs Apochi Igho, who is the Managing Director and Ayokunle Ajayi.
“The five companies to which monies were transferred are:
Broadwaters Resources Company Ltd (N839,780,738.09); Global Offshore and Marine
Ltd (N1,629,250,000.00); Mczoll Resources Ltd (N216,000,000.00); Glosat
Security Services Ltd (N300,000,000.00). and Merry Aviation Communication
Electronics Industry Nig. Ltd (N285,000,000.00).
“The former minister used Sabora International Ltd to apply for
and obtained a loan facility of N885,711,400.00 from First Bank Plc to import
six IMS dredgers and quarry equipment from the United States of America and
used the dredgers as collateral security.
“Out of the sum of N836, 780,730.09 earlier transferred from
I-Sec Security Nigeria Ltd’s Project Account 2 to Broadwaters Resources Company
Ltd. on 5th February 2014 the sum of N838,000,000.00 was further transferred to
Sabora International Ltd’s account No: 2022354121 with First Bank on 26th
February 2014 as part payment to settle the loan facility of, 885,711,400.00
secured by Sabora International Ltd from First Bank Plc that was used to import
six IMS dredgers from the United States of America and quarry equipment.
“Broadwaters Resources Company Ltd. was incorporated on 31ts
December 2012 by the law firm of Abraham & Co and later sold to Ms. Obi
Obianuju. Vivian, who made statements to the the effect that Broadwaters
Resources Company Ltd.has no business relationship with either I-Sec Security
Nig Ltd, Ministry of Aviation or Sabora International Ltd and had no idea how
N839,000,000.00 was paid into the company’s account by I-Sec Security Nig Ltd.
Global Offshore Resources and Marine Ltd and Morgan Stem African
Ltd were registered as Shell Companies by one Mr. Adeleke Adegbola, a lawyer,
who later sold the two companies to Princess Stella Oduah while she was serving
as the Minister of Aviation
“The former Minister of Aviation facilitated a loan facility of
N1,291,865,900.00 from First Bank to Crystal Television Ltd on 4th March 2013
and an overdraft facility of N50,000,000.00 in June 2013 to set up a radio
station/television network and newspaper printing press and the loan was used
as lien. for the equipment.
“The former minister abused her office by fraudulently
conspiring with Mrs. Shade Omoniyi, the account officer to transfer the sum of
N1,600,000,000.00 from I-Sec Security Nig Ltd’s Project Account 2 with First
Bank to Global. Offshore Resources and Marine Ltd on 12 February 2014 when the
company. has no contractual relationship with either I-Sec Security Nig Ltd or
the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
“The loan facility of N1,291,865,900.00 and overdraft of
N50,000,000.00 obtained by Crystal Television Ltd from First Bank Plc was paid
off with part of the sum of N1,600,000,000.00 fraudulently transferred from
I-Sec Security Nig Ltd’s Project Account that was diverted to Global Offshore
Resources Marine Ltd to the tune of N840.613.092 28 on 28’h April, 2014.
“The sum of N780,000,000.00 out of the N1.600,000,000.00
transferred from I-Sec Security Nig Ltd’s Project Account 2 was again
re-transferred to the accont of Tip Top Global Resources Ltd to pay off the
indebtedness of Crystal Television Ltd.
“The funds fraudulently transferred by the former minister from
the Project Account 2 of I-Sec Security Nig. Ltd and used in liquidating the
two loan facilities granted to Crystal Television Ltd to set up a radio
station/television network and newspaper printing press and to Sabora
International Ltd to purchase six dredgers are not her money or that of her companies,
but funds belonging to the Federal Ministry of Aviation meant for the
procurement, supply and installation of security equipment at the nation’s
airports.
“The funds used in liquidating the loan facilities granted by
First Bank to Crystal Television Ltd and Sabora International Ltd are the
product of unlawful activity
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