The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has said that all those involved in the controversial purchase of N255m bulletproof cars by the Nigerian Aviation Civil Authority, including the sacked Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, were still being investigated
A source at the EFCC, who made this known to The PUNCH on Thursday in Abuja, said the outcome of the investigation would determine those to be prosecuted.
The source spoke just as the Trade Union Congress, the Campaign for Democracy, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, the Nigerian Voters’ Assembly, Civil Society Network Against Corruption and human rights lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, insisted that Oduah must be made to face trial for corruption.
The EFCC had late last year interrogated the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mr. George Uriesi; the Director General of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, Mr. Nnamdi Udoh, and the Director General, NCAA, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, over the scandal.
The Managing Director of Coscharis Motors Limited, Josiah Samuel, whose firm supplied the bulletproof cars, and officers of First Bank Plc were also quizzed.
When contacted on Thursday, the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that the commission was still investigating the scandal.
Uwujaren faulted claims that the agency had stopped investigation into the scandal which many believed was responsible for Oduah’s removal by President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday.
“We have been on the matter. The investigation is going on. At the end of the investigation, the commission will do the appropriate thing. “ he told one of our correspondents in Abuja.
Say No Campaign had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the anti-graft agency to arrest and prosecute Oduah because of the car scandal.
But on Thursday, the TUC, CD, CACOL, NVA and Aturu lauded Odual’s removal but noted however that it was long overdue.
The President of TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said Oduah’s removal was “democracy in action.”
Kaigama said, “ The President has the power to hire and fire. Nigerians are now watchdogs. All appointees should know that if they misbehave and don’t work in accordance with the oath of their office, nemesis will catch up with them.”
The President of the CD, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, said Oduah’s removal was a welcome development.
She added, “It is a welcome development, although belated. At last, the right thing has been done by dropping her as a minister following her indictment over the car purchase. Her sacking should communicate some messages to public officials.
Aturu, who described the delay in sacking Oduah as “exasperating”, said the anti-corruption agencies, especially the EFCC, must act fast on the former minister.
He said that Oduah’s belated sacking was not an indication that Jonathan and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party were averse to corruption.
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