Ex-minister allegedly laundered N3.6bn through 8 companies

192 contracts were awarded in the second phase of the program Oduah secured the funds for, but only six were completed.

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered N3.6 billion allegedly stolen by  former Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah, according to SaharaReporters.

Oduah, as Aviation Minister, Oduah had secured several multi-billion naira contracts to upgrade 22 airports in the country - she was alleged to have siphoned a huge part of the funds.

According to documents obtained by the online news portal, 192 contracts were awarded in the second phase of the program Oduah secured the funds for, but only six were completed.

The former minister was first investigated after compelling the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to buy her two bulletproof BMWs valued at N255m.

She was later indicted by the House of Representatives and a presidential committee for violating the country’s procurement regulations.

Oduah recently obtained an interim injunction preventing the EFCC from investigating, arresting, questioning, or prosecuting her.

The judge, Justice Mohammed Yunusa, who granted the injunction, is said to be controversial.

Justice Okon Abang had in  February dismissed Oduah's injunction, which gave the EFCC the go ahead to commence the investigations into the N255 million scandal.

READ: Supreme Court denies sacking Stella Oduah, Andy Ubah from Senate

SaharaReporters, citing an EFCC source, reported that the agency's investigations revealed that Oduah misallocated N255 million to buy her vehicles and stole N3.6 billion, which was channeled through eight companies.

She was alleged to have created the companies purposely to launder the funds.