EFCC is unhappy as senator is yet to honour invitation over alleged N9.4B contract

The Nation reports that the anti-graft commission appears to be running out of patience with former Aviation Minister, who is yet to honour three invitations in the last seven months, over the security contract she approved during her tenure as the minister for Aviation.

“The Commission has been very patient with her but she may be declared wanted if she continues this hide and seek game,” an EFCC source was quoted as saying.

It was also reported that Oduah, who said she fired by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan because ex-minister of petroleum, Diezani Alison Madueke was envious of her, may be declared wanted if she continues to be evasive.

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Oduah's recent excuse for not honouring EFCC's invitation

According to the report, Oduah had been invited thrice in the last seven months over the alleged N9.4billion contract only for her to fail to turn up on each occasion.

An EFCC source was quoted as saying: “She was invited on three different occasions to report for interview on the 13th June, 2017, 29th June 2017 and 13th November 2017 but she failed to honour any of the invitations.

“Rather than appear to face a panel that was raised by the EFCC to interrogate her, Oduah, through a letter dated January 5, 2018, informed the commission that she would honour the invite on January 29, 2018.

“The letter was duly acknowledged by the commission and just as the investigators were looking forward to her arrival, Oduah played a fast one on the EFCC with another letter indicating that she would no longer be available on January 29.

“She cited an invitation by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu to accompany him to London where he was scheduled to deliver a lecture at the House of Commons on January 25.

“Oduah stated that her next convenient date to honour your invitation is 19th February, 2018”.

The N9.4billion contract in Aviation ministry

The anti-graft agency is investigating alleged improprieties in the execution and awarding of a contract for the procurement and installation of security equipment in 22 airports across the country.

The contract was awarded while Oduah served as Nigeria's Aviation ministry under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan between July 4, 2011 and February 12, 2014.

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It was further reported that the serving Senator has been invited in respect of an investigation into the N9, 443,549,531.25 contract awarded to I-Sec Security Nigeria Limited.

An EFCC source was quoted as saying: “There were issues surrounding the contract, including alleged non-execution of the project in some airports, abandonment of the contract in a few ones, diversion of part of the contract sum and suspected case of money laundering.

“These are allegations she is expected to respond to in order to clear the air on the security contract. She is only expected to explain her roles.”

Meanwhile, Senator Oduah is currently locked in a legal battle with Sterling bank over her company's alleged indebtedness.

The bank alleged that Oduah and her company, Sea Petroleum and Gas Company Ltd. were indebted to it in the sums of $16.4 million and N100.5 million.