The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited the Board of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for interrogation, over their alleged role n the N3.4 billion scam rocking the agency.
The affected Board members are expected to start appearing at the Commission’s headquarters from Monday.
During the interrogation, operatives will demand explanations on the sale/lease of the spectrum to a telecom giant for $171million (about N34,114,500.00) and how 10 percent broker fees amounting to an estimated N3.4bn, was allegedly paid Technology Advisor.
Those likely to be quizzed are Prof. Herbert Orji (chairman), Mohammed Kabir Umar, Mike Iheanetu, Yakubu Busa Buji, Ebenezer Ayorinde, Isa Badamasi Dahiru, Prince Dennis Sam, Jude Nnodum, SAN, Emeka Mba (ex-DG) as well as Peter Dam) who is the representative of the Ministry of information.
“The board members are going to be questioned in batches and the first batch is expected to appear before a crack panel of investigators on April 25.
“They are expected to be questioned over issues surrounding the sale/lease of the spectrum to telecoms giant MTN for $171million (about N34,114,500.00) and how 10 per cent broker fees amounting to N3.4bn was paid Technology Advisor even before presidential approval,” the source said.
The source further disclosed that the “board (allegedly) approved the payment at December 4, 2014 meeting, but did not seek presidential approval until May 15, 2015.
The approval for the sale/lease of the Spectrum eventually came on May 21, 2015.” He noted that: “Contrary to the impression created by the NBC, sources disclosed that MTN claims it did not know Technology advisor who claimed to have raised funds for the company.
“The spectrum was sold to MTN. There was no auction. MTN is licensed to broadcast and the spectrum was leased to it for 10 years at the rate of $171m. There was no broker in between”, the source said. The credible source wondered “where the Technology Adviser came into the picture, and on what basis did it collect the N3.4billion broker fee.”
