Revealed: How Jimoh Ibrahim Diverted N35b Aviation Intervention Fund To Ghana

The Joint Senate Committee on Aviation and Anti-corruption investigating the disbursement of N500 billion power and aviation fund has revealed that the N35 billion loan collected by the Chairman of the defunct Air Nigeria, Jimoh Ibrahim, was diverted to Ghana. The Federal Government in 2011 released N120 billion through the Central Bank of Nigeria to the aviation sector as intervention fund to rescue the sector from total collapse. At the investigative ‎hearing by the Joint Senate Committee on Aviation and Anti-corruption on Monday, the Deputy Leader of House and also Vice Chairman of Aviation Committee, Senator Ibn Bala’ Nallah, disclosed that the fund allocated to Virgin Nigeria was diverted to another project in Ghana by Ibrahim, who is the CEO of Energy Group. Confirming the diversion of the funds, a former Director of Finance and Accounts of Air Nigeria, John Nnorom, said ‎Ibrahim worked with a Nigerian bank on the project. Nnorom explained that prior to getting the funds, Ibrahim brought in the Bank as part of the Directors of Air Nigeria. He, however, said surprisingly, the very day the N35 billion hit the account of Air Nigeria domiciled with the Bank, it was also paid out. The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, while responding to questions, revealed that though the fund was released in the name of Aviation, it did not pass through the Ministry and there was no record anywhere to show the money was received by the Ministry. Amaechi said: “Distinguished Committee Chairmen, members, my job here is to watch proceedings because I know nothing about it and there is no record showing how the funds was disbursed.” The Committee also queried the Central Bank of Nigeria for its inability to provide the record of N120 billion loan disbursed to rescue airlines in Nigeria as the Committee mandated th‎e apex bank to provide the record within 24 hours. According to the Committee Chairman, Senator Hope Uzodinma: “We want the report of the disbursed fund with 24 hours. “If you are not able to account for it, we will hold you responsible for the fund.‎” The Committee also asked for the ‎criteria used to shortlist airlines that benefited from the aviation intervention. Earlier, Uzodinma, in his welcome address, made a shocking revelation that most of the airlines that benefited from the N120 billion intervention fund have become moribund. He said: “That is why it is a very disturbing development to learn of allegations that monies were not properly utilized for the stated objectives. “These allegations are just absurd, but shocking. “We are here to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of such allegations of misappropriation or diversion of the said funds. As is normally the rule in any investigation, we hold nobody guilty unless it is proven beyond all reasonable doubts that he or she is guilty. “Curiously however, from the list of beneficiaries ‎of funds, some of the airlines have long folded up.” image

About Faith Irabor 1042 Articles
Welcome on board!!! Faith Irabor is just like your everyday girl next door with strong survival instincts. Am an International Journalist, Events planner and Blogger whose media journey dates back to June 2002 as a TV presenter with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Ile-Ife Osun State while I was having my National Diploma in Mass Communication. I left NTA in 2005 to pursue my B.SC in Mass Communication at the Olabisi Onabanjo University OOU Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State and finished in 2008 before joining one of Nigeria's best investigative Tabloids (National Enquirer Magazine & www.enquirermag.blogspot.com). I am very privileged to be trained by one of the industry's bests, my boss and mentor Mr. Tunde Moshood Jr, the former Editor of the defunct Fame Magazine, Publisher of National Enquirer and president Miss Global Nigeria who taught me everything I know in Journalism especially the investigative aspect which is the fulfilment of being a member of the Fourth Estate of Realm (as we journalists are usually officially addressed). My desire to take my journalism practice beyond the Newspaper & Magazine came from the passion I have derived over the years from investigative journalism as Online Media is the best platform to tell a story or news the very minute it’s at your disposal without wasting time. I promise to serve you nothing but exclusive and interesting news, interviews, events, articles from around the world and please feel free to email me on faith.irabor@faithirabor.com on spotted errors as well as ideas that would make me do better as there is no perfect being anywhere except God. Now scroll up, click on any of the stories and please drop your comment!!!!

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