Senate backs off on Stella Oduah BMW car scam

Culled from Telegraph;

The Senate, on Thursday, suspended indefinitely its decision to question the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, at its general session, after repeatedly deferring the minister’s appearance.

Ms. Oduah will now appear before the Senate Committee on Aviation on an unnamed date, a new resolution approved by the lawmakers on Thursday said. The hearing is expected to be reported back to the senate plenary.

“The Senate accordingly resolves to rescind its earlier resolution that the minister of aviation and chief executives of the aviation parastatals to brief the senate plenary,” the motion read.

It also said the minister will “brief the Senate Committee on Aviation on the state of aviation sector and highlights number of aviation incidents.”

The Senate president, David Mark, did not give reasons for the Senate's decision.

The Senate president, David Mark, did not give reasons for the Senate’s decision.

Senate President David Mark did not give reasons for the decision.

The Senate deputy minority whip, Solomon Ganiyu, said the decision was reached at a closed-door session.

“Indeed, at the executive session last week, senators were unanimous that the motion should be rescinded. Instead, the minister should rather appear before the Senate Committee on Aviation,” Mr Solomon (Lagos/APC) said. He seconded a motion to repeal the first order.

In the eye of a storm

Ms. Oduah is currently facing multiple investigations for allegedly ordering the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to purchase two armoured cars for her at the cost of N255 million. The contract was not budgeted for and did not follow due process.

The minister has denied doing any wrong, and insists she followed the relevant laws. An investigation by the House of Representatives proved those claims false. The House investigation, which took more than a week, will be discussed by lawmakers next week.

Another committee named by President Goodluck Jonathan on the matter has failed to submit its report after the assigned two weeks.

The Senate probe was to focus on the problems of the aviation sector generally, particularly air crashes and issues of regulation by the ministry of aviation.

The minister has been accused of denying additional landing rights to some international airlines to commence cargo and passenger flights to Kano and Abuja apart from Lagos where they now operate.

The airlines are: Emirates (Dubai, Kano, Abuja); Turkish (Instanbul, Kano, Abuja); Etihad (Dubai, Kano, Abuja); Qatar (Doha, Kano, Abuja) and Asky Airlines (Lome, Niger, Kano).

Emirates and Turkish airlines have, however, received conditional approvals to fly the Kano-Abuja routes. The aviation ministry attached strict conditions to the effect that they must pay “Royalty Per Passenger”.

The minister was however also expected to address questions on the armoured cars scandal.

The missing Mark

After repeated rescheduling, her appearance last Thursday was moved after Mr Mark said he wanted to personally preside over the hearing. The senate president was to lead the Nigerian delegation to United Arab Emirate to support the Golden Eaglets who played Mexico in the finals of the U-17 FIFA championship. He did not go after all.

“I think we should oblige the senate president that opportunity to preside over the session because he was passionate about it and he would have been around today but for the last minute national assignment given to him,” deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, said that day.

But on a rescheduled date Thursday, the Senate tabled a motion to withdraw its previous decision on the matter. It mandated the minister to brief the aviation committee.

Speaking to journalists after the plenary, chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Hope Uzodinma (Imo/PDP), denied concerns that the Senate may have acted under “pressure” from the Presidency to give the embattled minister a soft landing.

Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah has been in the eye of a storm since the purchase of 2 vehicles for N255 millions became public.

Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah has been in the eye of a storm since the purchase of 2 vehicles for N255 millions became public.

“I don’t know where you heard what you heard but what I had just said is the decision is in order,” he said. “I think it (rescinded summons) is proper and it is in order and in accordance with the Senate rules.”

Mr Uzodinma, however, could not provide a definite date Mrs Oduah is to appear before the Senate aviation committee.

“The time table will be worked out as soon we meet at the committee level,” he said.