THERE seems to be no end to the scandal that the police equipment fund has become, with more revelation at the weekend of how the hefty cash was squandered.

Police Equipment Fund (PEF) co-ordinator Kenny Martins bought two helicopters for the law enforcement agency, but the aircraft have disappeared, it was learnt at the weekend.

The two helicopters, which were brought in from Ukraine, were inspected by former police chief Mr Sunday Ehindero early last year at Eagle Square, Abuja amid revelry.

The aircraft were reportedly flown back to Ukraine, raising suspicion that they were never paid for.

And the much-publicised housing scheme at Kubwa, Abuja, purportedly belonging to the police was actually the property of the Nigerian Army (NA), it was learnt.

Martins, who has refused to comment on the scandal, reportedly said PEF had secured $500 million loan repayable in 10 years. Part of the loan, he said, would be used in building the first 100,000 housing units for the police.

Each house is estimated to cost N4 million. And each police officer is expected to pay back the cost of the house.

Of the 2,500 vehicles that were bought for the police, many BMWs (2003 model) were fairly used part of the COJA AU African Games fleet and those used for 2007 general elections.

It was learnt that the Federal Government entered into an agreement with the car dealers and paid rent for the period of time it used the cars. They were returned to the dealers after COJA and the general elections.

Surprisingly, the operators of Presidential Committee on Police Equipment Fund (PCPEF) accounts claimed that they bought each BMW for N15 million as against the market price of N3.5 million for brand new.

Besides, PCPEF obtained a waiver from the Federal Government to import about 3,000 vehicles. The said waiver was allegedly sold to car dealers who paid the operators in cash and kind with 27 exotic cars that were shared as gratuity by Mr Martins and his deputy, Prince Ibrahim Dumuje whose credibility was challenged in a petition written by Festus Keyamo on behalf of Dr Godson Ewulum, a member of the PCPEF.



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