The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reiterated that in spite of the sack of the former Aviation Minister, Ms Stella Oduah, investigations on the purchase of the 255 million Naira armoured cars are still ongoing.
Recounting the achievements of the commission in 2013, the spokesman for the commission, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, told reporters in Abuja that the outcome of the investigations would be disclosed in due course.
However, Mr Uwujaren bemoaned the slow pace of prosecutions in the judicial system, which he said had largely stalled investigations. He, however, said that the anti-graft agency is not deterred.
He said that the commission had resolved to prosecute all its cases without fear or favour and would work vigorously to fight corruption in Nigeria within the ambit of the law.
The former Aviation Minister had defended the purchase of the armoured vehicles, saying that the procurement of the two armoured BMW cars at the cost of 255 million Naira followed due process.
According to the minister, provision was made in the 2013 budget for the procurement of the vehicles along with other specialised equipment, to complement or replace obsolete ones.
Part of Ms Oduah’s response, was that the vehicles were bought to enable the ministry implement its statutory regulatory responsibilities effectively.
“It is imperative that the NCAA is fully equipped with highly specialised tools and facilities, including adequate operational vehicles to cover all 22 national airports and over 400 airstrips,” she said.
But the National Assembly said that the list of items listed in the budget of the ministry, approved by the assembly, did not specify the purchase of two armoured cars.
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