Diezani’s Jet Scandal: Reps Uncovers Third Aircraft

There were indications on Wednesday that members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts had come under intense pressure to tread softly on their ongoing investigation into the alleged financial excesses of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

It was also learnt in Abuja that Alison-Madueke chartered a third jet for her use, besides the two already in the records of the committee.

The Solomon Olamilekan-led committee is investigating the expenditure of N10bn on a Challenger 850 chartered and maintained for the minister’s use.

A source disclosed that a return trip on the Global Express XRS to London for example, gulped €600,000 or N137m.

However, a lawmaker said since the House passed the resolution last week to probe the allegations against the minister, “forces within Nigeria, especially outside the National Assembly,” had been calling some of the committee members relentlessly.

He said, “At a point on Tuesday, the pressure became unbearable. I think people are beginning to think that the House is embarking on a witch-hunt. But that is not the idea.

“We are doing our constitutional duty to expose corruption wherever it exists.

“If at the end of the day, the investigation proves that it was justifiable for a minister to spend billions of naira to charter aircraft, so be it.”