Oduah Deny N255m BMW Bullet Proof Cars Wasn't Bought for Me

Embattled Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah, on Thursday, finally appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation probing the reported purchase of two Armoured BMW cars for her by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) at the cost of N255 million, as the minister claimed that the controversial amoured vehicles were never bought for her to.

The committee had adjourned the investigative hearing on Wednesday till Thursday, to allow the aviation minister present her case before the house.

The minister, while addressing the committee chaired by Honourable Nkiruka Onyejiocha,
Nkemakolam admitted we interpreted the directive to mean to go through it in line with the procurement Act. He said they did the due diligence but they had a mindset that they were within the budget limit at hand.

14:22 : Reps wrapping the hearing. Chairperson Onyejeocha said despite the testimonies from those invited since last week, the committee has received sufficient documents that will inform its report. “We have given everyone fair hearing,” she said.

He was questioned why he didn’t do due diligence to ensure that it was in tandem with the procurement law, he said he thought since the agency had got the approval of the National Assembly there was no need for such diligence.
He was asked why he initiated a memo to approve 54 vehicles when what the National assembly approved was 25 vehicles.

He was reminded that what was approved was N240million and not N643million.
NCAA was asked whether the board sought approval of the president to approve the car loan. Nkemakolam said he was working on the mindset that they were still within the approved limit.
He said that what NCAA discussed with First bank was a lease. He was asked the date the board of NCAA approved the loan facility.