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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