A member of the House of Representatives, Monsuru Alao Owolabi, has said nothing will deter the House from investigating the N255 million bulletproof BMW cars allegedly bought for the Aviation Minister, Ms Stella Oduah.
Addressing reporters yesterday in Lagos, the lawmaker, who represents Lagos Mainland, said: "No amount of shielding, even from the Presidency, can deter us in the National Assembly from probing the Aviation Minister."
He said the scandal of the armoured cars' saga had made a mockery of government's crusade against corruption.
The lawmaker was reacting to the allegation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the Federal Government was trying to shield Oduah from prosecution.
Owolabi faulted the explanation in some quarters that the cars were bought following threats to the life of the minister by some people who opposed the transformation of the Aviation sector under Oduah.
He cited the instance of the former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Dora Akunyili.
The lawmaker recalled that Akunyili faced several death threats during her tenure in the agency.
Owolabi said: "She was even shot at by some elements who opposed her fight against fake drugs. Yet, she never purchased bulletproof cars.
"This is a serious matter. How can you take delivery of bulletproof cars at N255 million in a country where people can barely afford three-square meals a day?
"Women are known for their prudence, for being moderate and for being effective managers. How can you purchase two armoured cars for N255 million with tax payers' money? That is ridiculous, because Nigeria is not at war. Who is after her life?"
The lawmaker said Prof Akunyili achieved more at NAFDAC than Oduah has recorded in the Aviation sector.
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