N255m Armoured Cars Scandal: EFCC quizzes Stella Oduah

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday quizzed a former Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, for over five hours at their Idiagbon House headquarters in Abuja.

Investigation revealed that Oduah arrived at Idiagbon House around 10am and left at 3.30pm after being granted a provisional bail.

An EFFC source said the former minister was asked questions and thereafter asked to make a statement that could aid the commission’s ongoing investigation into the purchase of two BMW bulletproof cars by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority at a controversial sum of N255m.

The Intelligence and Special Operations Section of the commission was instructed to ensure an in-depth investigation of the scandal.

It was further gathered that one Mr. Chike of ‘Team 3’ of the Intelligence and Special Operations Section led the team of investigators that grilled Oduah.

Source said, “The former minister, Ms. Oduah, was quizzed for more than five hours by operatives of the EFCC.

“The ex-minister arrived at the Commission at about 10am, Wednesday, April 2 and left at 3.30pm.

“She was granted a provisional bail after making useful statement that will assist the investigation of the scandal.

“The Intelligence and Special Operations Unit is in charge of the case. Chike, who belongs to ‘Team 3’ led the team of investigators on Wednesday.

“He is the head of the team of investigators handling the case but he reports to the sectional head of ISOS, Mr. Abdul Suleiman.”

The EFCC had said repeatedly that the bulletproof car scandal known as Oduahgate, was being investigated but it had refused to say when the ex-minister would be interrogated.

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, had said that it was not in the character of the EFCC to inform those to be interrogated in advance.

The purchase of the cars at a whopping N255m had sparked a nationwide controversy which culminated in the removal of Oduah on February 12, 2014.