EFCC Chairman Lamorde
•’It’s not true’
Some operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday stormed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over the row between the agency and Maevis Nigeria Limited on collection of revenue at the nation’s airports.
But the officials of the anti-graft agency however could not effect the arrest of the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi.
His whereabouts was unknown as of press time.
According to a source, who spoke in confidence, the EFCC team went to FAAN Headquarters following the refusal of Uriesi to appear before the anti-graft agency in connection with the ongoing face-off between FAAN and Maevis.
The source said: “We got a petition from the MD of FAAN against Maevis and two banks but since we commenced investigation, he has refused to appear before the EFCC team.
“At a point, we sent a letter of invitation to him and he did not honour it again. Yet as the petitioner, he needs to substantiate allegations tabled before the commission.
“We also require some documents from FAAN to enable us get to the roots of the matter. But FAAN has not been forthcoming.
“Our team then decided to visit FAAN to conduct some search but we could not locate the MD not to talk of effecting his arrest. We hope he will turn up at our headquarters in Abuja .”
When contacted, the acting Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “Our operatives were at the FAAN headquarters on Monday over some issues.”
The Federal Government had in March terminated Maevis concession contract which it secured in 2008
FAAN alleged it is disadvantaged in the concession thus had to wield the big stick. It also said Maevis turned down all overtures to renegotiate the agreement.
FAAN immediately announced another service provider, Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques (SITA) to take over the revenue collection at $1.40 per passenger processed through airports hitherto managed by Maevis.
It was however learnt that it was FAAN that had actually requested the ICPC and EFCC to investigate the activities of two banks used by Maevis Limited.
It alleged the diversion of funds belonging to FAAN into the coffers of Maevis Limited during the same period.”
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had some weeks ago quizzed a former Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, a former Director of Finance and Accounts, Mrs Azuka Onyia and other management staff over the same row with MAEVIS on airport revenue.
But FAAN has denied the planned arrest of its Managing Director. It said it was a rumour
Its spokesman Mr Akin Olukunle, said at no time did officials of the EFCC visit FAAN to arrest Mr Uriesi, describing the rumour as the handiwork of mischief makers.
Olukunle urged those who are bent on distracting the efforts of FAAN management to engage themselves constructively, rather than spreading false information that will engender bitterness and disharmony in the system.
No comments:
Post a Comment