EFCC Interrogates Stella Oduah Over N255m Armoured Cars For Five Hours

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was interrogating Stella Oduah overthe purchase of two armoured BMW carsfor five hours.
Embattled Aviation Minister Stella Oduah Before The House of Representatives, October 31, 2013
The former Minister of Aviation arrived at the EFCC office in Abuja around 10.30 am and was not allowed to go until 3 pm.
According to Vanguard, Oduah was questioned extensively on what she knew about the purchase of the vehicles.
She was said to have cooperated with the EFCC interrogators and made some statements that might help in prosecuting her, a competent source in the commission told Vanguard.
Ex-minister was granted what a source described as "provisional bail", but was asked to return to the operatives on a future date.
The EFCC had reportedly gathered a large amount of documents relating to the car purchase and used it confront Oduah, making it difficult for her to advance any reasonable defence.
"It is true that our operatives took on the former Aviation Minister for five hours and she made some useful statements following which she was granted a provisional bail. "She is being expected to face more interrogation soon," the source said.
EFCC's Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, told journalists that given the delicate nature of the case, the commission would not make its findings public until the investigation was finished.
The purchase of the cars had generated a lot ofadverse publicitybeforePresident Goodluck Jonathan sacked Oduah along with three other ministerson February 20.
She was alleged to have compelled the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to pay Coscharis Motors, an auto dealer, approximately $1.6m for two BMW bullet‑proof cars.
An online medium, which broke the story, said its investigations showed that the highest cost for each such car in US and UK was $267,000.
The transaction involved the NCAA, FirstBank of Nigeria and Coscharis Motors Limited.
The two black BMW Li HSS vehicles have chassis numbers WBAHP41050DW68032 and WBAHP41010DW68044, and were reportedly delivered to the NCAA on August 31, 2013.
On December 20, the House of Representativesruledthat Oduah had breached the 2013 Appropriation Act and asked President Goodluck Jonathan to review her appointment for approving expenditure of over N643 million for the NCAA to procure 54 vehicles in 2013.