June 26, 2024

The House of Representatives has demanded the arrest of an alleged unlicensed auctioneer and Director, Quality Control, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, for providing false information on oath.

The alleged false information was in respect of the sale of two helicopters for $1.2 billion.

The lawmakers want the duo to be arrested by the police in the National Assembly.

Rep. Ademola Kuye, Chairman, Committee on Public Assets, said this was part of the resolutions of the committee after interacting with the management of NCAT and other relevant bodies in Abuja on Tuesday.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, to take over the investigation into the alleged illegal sale of the two choppers by NCAT.

In December 2023, the House commenced an investigation into the state of public assets in the country.

He said the committee’s mandate was to recover assets and moribund public assets within and outside Nigeria.

He said the aircraft was sold without the approval of the Federal Executive Council.

Kuye expressed worry that the two choppers bought at $2.4 billion were sold at $1.2 billion without following due process.

“We requested documents of any kind of joint venture; there has been no response to that, whether you have one or not.

“We requested a list of assets, including a comprehensive description and specification of all your listed assets, rented apartments, including acquisition dates and methods, and the current status and conditions of such assets.

“We cannot specifically say that you have satisfied all of these requests. Though you tried to answer some of them, your responses are not adequate,” he said.

The lawmakers also queried the use of an unlicensed auctioneer who failed to provide the needed response to inquiries.

Mr Musa Alkali, Coordinator of Nigerian Army Aviation called for the recovery of the two helicopters. (NAN)