EFCC ‘still investigating’ Oduah, Soludo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is still investigating Stella Oduah, former minister of aviation, and Charles Soludo, former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, its spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said on Monday.

Uwujaren said the case against Soludo is far from closed, as he is still being investigated for alleged offences bordering on a polymer contract bribery and scam.

However, former managing director of Nigerian Security, Minting and Printing Company, Mr Ehidiamhem Okoyomon, has been indicted for a similar offence and will be charged to court soon.

“Contrary to speculations that the Oduah case has been closed, we are still investigating the matter,” he said.

“In fact, we have invited some key officials in the ministry for questioning. So the matter is still on. I can assure you that in a few weeks, you will hear the result.”

In April, Stella Oduah was invited by the EFCC for questioning regarding her alleged purchase of two BMW bulletproof cars worth N255 million.

Uwujaren also revealed that 17 persons are standing trial over the oil subsidy affair, and that 40 companies have been charged to court for the same offence.

“So far, N4.3 billion has been recovered from oil subsidy scam suspects, and more is still being recovered,” he said.

On the general activities of the commission, Uwujaren said: “Two Indians have been jailed for oil theft. Both of them will serve 15 years in prison.

“A Nigerian, Seun Ogunbambo, the managing director of Fargo Energy Limited, who was docked for stealing N979.6 million and 4.5 billion in bogus subsidy claims, had absconded and refused to attend trial. Consequently, he was declared wanted by the commission. I wish to restate that the fugitive is still on the Commission’s wanted persons’ list.”

Uwujaren said as well that one of the cases still under investigation is that of former governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki bordering on some transactions he made while he was managing director of Societe Generale Bank, and others that he made when he was governor of Kwara State.

In October 2013, Oduah was alleged to have procured two bulletproof cars at the cost of $1.6million.

While the cars were widely believed to be overpriced, she maintained that she had done no wrong, saying the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) acted within the provisions of the law by securing the financial backing of First Bank Plc for the purchase.