National Assembly Calls for Immediate Arrest of NCAT Director for Allegedly Selling Training Helicopters

The House of Representatives has called for the apprehension of an alleged unlicensed auctioneer and the Director of Quality Control at the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria for perjury.
The alleged perjury pertains to the purported sale of two helicopters for $1.2 million.
The legislators are requesting that the two individuals be taken into custody by law enforcement officers at the National Assembly.

Representative Ademola Kuye, Chairman of the Committee on Public Assets, revealed that this decision was reached following discussions with the NCAT management and other relevant entities in Abuja on Tuesday.
He implored the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to spearhead the investigation into the alleged unauthorized sale of the two helicopters by NCAT.
The House initiated an inquiry into the condition of public assets in the country in December 2023.
Kuye emphasized that the committee’s objective is to reclaim assets and defunct public properties both within and outside Nigeria.
He highlighted that the helicopters were sold without the sanction of the Federal Executive Council.

Kuye expressed concern that the helicopters, acquired for $2.4 billion, were sold for $1.2 billion without adhering to the appropriate procedures.
“We demanded the submission of any agreements related to a partnership; however, no response has been received thus far, regardless of whether such agreements exist or not.

“We also requested a detailed inventory of assets, including a comprehensive description and specifications of all assets, leased properties, along with their acquisition dates, methods, and current conditions.
“We cannot confirm that all of these requests have been adequately addressed. While some responses were provided, they were deemed insufficient,” he stated.
The legislators also questioned the engagement of an unlicensed auctioneer who failed to provide satisfactory responses to inquiries.
Musa Alkali, Coordinator of Nigerian Army Aviation, advocated for the recovery of the two helicopters.