Nigerian House of Reps Orders Arrest Following Alleged Helicopter Sale Irregularities

On Tuesday, the Nigerian House of Representatives mandated the immediate sale of two helicopters for $1.2 million and the subsequent arrest of the Director of Quality Control at the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), along with an alleged unlicensed auctioneer at the National Assembly.

The arrest orders were based on accusations of providing false information under oath.

The House’s action coincided with the Committee on Public Assets directing Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to lead an investigation into NCAT. The college stands accused of selling two helicopters without proper authorization, as revealed during a rigorous five-hour session with NCAT management and other stakeholders.

Committee Chairman Ademorin Kuye expressed grave concerns over the sale of helicopters originally purchased for $2.4 billion, which were allegedly sold at half price without adhering to due process. He highlighted discrepancies in the documentation provided, including the absence of joint venture documents and incomplete asset lists, despite repeated requests.

Moreover, lawmakers raised questions about the involvement of an unlicensed auctioneer who failed to promptly respond to inquiries. Musa Alkali, Coordinator of Nigerian Army Aviation, confirmed that the Army’s request to use the helicopters in counterterrorism operations was denied, underscoring the urgency to recover them.

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Committee member Midala Balami asserted that the documents submitted during the proceedings appeared fraudulent, adding to the complexity of the investigation.

The House’s decision to pursue arrests and investigations underscores its commitment to scrutinizing the management of public assets, particularly amid concerns over accountability and adherence to legal protocols in asset disposal within Nigeria’s public institutions.