Towards this end, THISDAY learnt last night that it has started to invite parties involved in the transaction, starting from officials of Coscharis Motors and First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FBN), for interrogation.
The commission, through its Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, however said there were procedures to follow.
Uwujaren in a telephone conversation with THISDAY yesterday in Abuja said the commission was on top of the situation and would do everything within the confines of the EFCC Act to justify its mandate.
“There are procedures to follow in doing these things; we are already on top of the situation,” he said.
Asked whether the commission would meet the November 8 ultimatum issued to it by human rights lawyer Femi Falana for the prosecution of Oduah and others, Uwujaren said Falana's petition was not an issue, insisting that the commission would carry out its duties.
“That is not an issue, I have told you that we are already on top of the situation,” he said.
Uwujaren also dismissed the notion that the commission would require the approval of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, to investigate Oduah.
“I am not aware of any clearance required to probe this case,” he stated.
Falana had on Monday petitioned the EFCC, demanding that the aviation minister be prosecuted for corruption.
According to him, it was clear that there was no appropriation for the acquisition of the armoured cars in the Appropriation Act, 2013.
Falana also stated that the aviation minister exceeded her approval limit as only the Federal Executive Council (FEC) could approve any transaction of N100 million and above.
Meanwhile, THISDAY learnt yesterday that officials of Coscharis Motors which had supplied the armoured cars as well as other vehicles to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) are due for interrogation today.
Also, officials of FBN, which provided the lease financing for the vehicles, were also at the office of the commission.
A source with Coscharis said their officials were with the EFCC for several hours and subjected to all sorts of questioning.
He said their officials were not detained but the commission said they would be re-invited should the need arise.
The Chairman of Coscharis, Mr. Cosmas Maduka, he said, however did not report to the EFCC as he had travelled overseas for a business engagement.
Similarly, FBN’s Relationship Manager responsible for the aviation sector was also interrogated by the EFCC.
Sources within the commission said the anti-graft agency would be inviting Oduah, officials of NCAA and the Nigerian Customs Service in the next few days.
Source: Thisday
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