Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, will
not be taking part in the historic signing of
the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA,
with Israel today, according to reports.
Oduah is being probed by the Presidency and
the House of Representatives over her role in
the acquisition of two overpriced armoured
cars valued at N255 million, with the House
threatening to order her arrest if she fails to
appear before it on Tuesday.
Oduah is said to have gone to Israel with the
hope that she could use the opportunity of
the visit to explain her position on the
controversial car deal to Mr. President and
take part in sealing the air deal with the
country, but sources said that the President
had not given the minister any opportunity to
discuss the issue with him since his arrival in
the Holy Land last Wednesday.
The source explained to Vanguard that the
Nigerian leader decided to keep the minister
out of the signing ceremony because he did
not want his visit to be overshadowed by the
controversy surrounding Oduah.
One source said last night that it was in a bid
to keep the minister away from the limelight
that she was not given any visibility since
Jonathan arrived in the
country, as the president would not like to be
seen as condoning corruption.
“The President is mindful of the fact that he
has to project Nigeria as a country, which
does not condone any form of graft and will
not bring a tainted official of his
administration to Tel Aviv for a serious event
as the BASA signing ceremony.
“Before leaving for the Holy Land, the
President had made it clear that the
circumstances surrounding the purchase of
the two armoured cars for the minister must
be thoroughly investigated and a detailed
report made for him to assure Nigerians and
the international community that he does not
tolerate any form of financial impropriety,” a
source said.
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