Expdonaloaded News; EFCC fights back over bulletproof cars

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has risen against the move by former Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, to stop the agency from probing her over the controversial purchase of two armoured BMW cars at a cost of N160 million in 2013. The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Yunusa, of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, had on August 26, 2015, restrained EFCC and other agencies from taking action relating to the probe of Oduah on the controversial vehicles, pending the hearing and determination of a fundamental rights suit filed before the court.
However, in response to the court’s order, the agency had filed a preliminary objection against the suit. The EFCC is contending that the suit was wrongly commenced in Lagos since the subject- matter took place in Abuja. Apart from this, the agency described Oduah’s claims as baseless and speculative, saying that the former minister failed to place enough material fact before the court to justify her claim that she was about to be invited or arrested. It also urged the court to reject Oduah’s suit for lacking of merit. The order of court to stop EFCC from probing the ex-minister who is now a senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District, on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was sequel to an ex parte application filed by Oduah’s lawyer, Mr. R.A. Oluyede. Among other agencies, the order also affected were the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission; the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police. The judge barred the respondents and their agents from inviting or arresting Oduah for questioning pending the determination of her main suit, while granting an interim injuction. In the suit, Oduah averred that the All Progressives Congress-led government had perfected plans to try prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party, including herself, on trumped -up charges in a Lagos State Government-controlled court. According to her, the alleged ploy was to depopulate the PDP, so that Nigeria could become a one-party country. She, however, explained that the two armoured BMW were for the purpose of conveying officials of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, who were in the country at that time, for routine inspection and certification of the 22 airports in the country, which were being rehabilitated under her watch.