Allegation of misappropriating N9.8bn laughable — Oduah

Fomer Aviation Minister, Sen. Stella Oduah, has faulted the
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, over the
inclusion of her name in the list of alleged looters recently
released.

Oduah, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, described the
allegation that she misappropriated the sum of N9.8 billion as
unfounded and laughable.

The recently released looters’ list had alleged that the former
Aviation Minister stole N9.8 billion and that the EFCC had secured
an Interim Forfeiture order on some property secured.

The senator representing Anambra North senatorial district said
that list was illusory and compiled without proper
verification.

“ In deliberately taking on those he considered prominent in the
achievements of the past administration, he mentioned my name
against an allegation of a whooping sum of N9.8 billion naira.

“Record has it that my achievements as the Aviation Minister are
unbeatable till date.

“ I did not engage in any financial impropriety as the Minister
and the allegation involving the said sum of N9.8 billion is not
only untrue but laughable.

“The said contract awarded by the Ministry of Aviation under my
watch was executed and based on the request of the contractors,
they were paid their money which they utilized in the manner they
did.’’

She said that the records were still with the Ministry as she
had no business with the companies that took part in executing that
contract.

Oduah said that till date, she did not understand how anything
went wrong over that contract that was executed.

She said she had never taken any illegal proceeds from the
government purse.

“The machines seized/forfeited by the Federal Government over
the allegation on the said money are not mine.

“ I challenge the minister to provide evidence linking me with
his allegations; I have been waiting for that evidence and I am yet
to see any.

“We must be responsible as an opposition bearing in mind that
good governance is not about pulling down those whose achievements
as past office holders may be a yardstick for measuring the
performance of a succeeding government.

“ All allegations made against me remain mere media sensations
orchestrated for mere political reasons.

“ Oftentimes, I ignore them believing the orchestrators would
repent after several failed outings,’’ she said.

She added that governance should not be seen as warfare as
calumny should be eschewed.

Fomer Aviation Minister, Sen. Stella Oduah, has faulted the
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, over the
inclusion of her name in the list of alleged looters recently
released.

Oduah, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, described the
allegation that she misappropriated the sum of N9.8 billion as
unfounded and laughable.

The recently released looters’ list had alleged that the former
Aviation Minister stole N9.8 billion and that the EFCC had secured
an Interim Forfeiture order on some property secured.

The senator representing Anambra North senatorial district said
that list was illusory and compiled without proper
verification.

“ In deliberately taking on those he considered prominent in the
achievements of the past administration, he mentioned my name
against an allegation of a whooping sum of N9.8 billion naira.

“Record has it that my achievements as the Aviation Minister are
unbeatable till date.

“ I did not engage in any financial impropriety as the Minister
and the allegation involving the said sum of N9.8 billion is not
only untrue but laughable.

“The said contract awarded by the Ministry of Aviation under my
watch was executed and based on the request of the contractors,
they were paid their money which they utilized in the manner they
did.’’

She said that the records were still with the Ministry as she
had no business with the companies that took part in executing that
contract.

Oduah said that till date, she did not understand how anything
went wrong over that contract that was executed.

She said she had never taken any illegal proceeds from the
government purse.

“The machines seized/forfeited by the Federal Government over
the allegation on the said money are not mine.

“ I challenge the minister to provide evidence linking me with
his allegations; I have been waiting for that evidence and I am yet
to see any.

“We must be responsible as an opposition bearing in mind that
good governance is not about pulling down those whose achievements
as past office holders may be a yardstick for measuring the
performance of a succeeding government.

“ All allegations made against me remain mere media sensations
orchestrated for mere political reasons.

“ Oftentimes, I ignore them believing the orchestrators would
repent after several failed outings,’’ she said.

She added that governance should not be seen as warfare as
calumny should be eschewed.