Abdul-Rahman Abubakar
3 July 2008
Minister of Transportation Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo will today face the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Transport to explain N30.9 Billion withdrawn from CBN within the last four days of last year.
It was revealed last week during Investigative Hearing of the Senator Heineken Lokpobiri (PDP, Bayelsa South) led panel that the Transportation Ministry withdrew N30.9 Billion beginning from December 26 to 31.
The Senate had summoned the two government officials to appear before it shortly after Mrs. Allison-Madueke signed another document denying the withdrawals saying, "Please note that the total amount available in the ministry's account with the CBN was N17.3 billion in the month of December 2007 out of which the total number of cheques issued in December 2007 amounted to N5.8 billion."
Mrs. Allison-Madueke further stated that, "The dates on the documents quoted were the dates on the mandates from the Accountant-General's office. The mandates dated 26th December 2007."
But during her earlier appearance before the Senate Panel the minister had tried to justify the withdrawals when she explained that her action was in line with Due Process Certification as well as approval by the Accountant General of Federation.
Meanwhile, the Senate Aviation Committee which investigates spending of the N19.5 Billion Aviation Intervention Fund has also summoned the Minister of Finance, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, Minister of Justice, Mr. Micheal Aondoakaa and Accountant General of Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo.
The three government officials are expected to furnish the committee with explanations on the warehousing of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) Fund domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria. They were to have appeared on Monday but the Attorney General wrote to the Committee he had travelled out of the country for an official assignment.
The Clerk to the Senate Aviation Committee, Victor Aborisade said the committee also expects the Managing Director of Almond Project Limited, one Gbenga Obadina to appear before it to answer to allegations of inflated consultancy contracts handled by his firm.
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