The management of Medview Airline Plc has dismissed report of scam in its involvement in 2019 Hajj airlift following the invitation of the Managing Director/CEO of the Company, Alhaji Muneer Bankole by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC invitation was to shed light on the airline’s Hajj Operations contract with National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The airline in a notice at the Nigerian Exchange made reference to a statement signed by the Director of Business Development, Mr. Isiaq Na-Allah on February 2, 2021 where it said that there was no scam or diversion of funds meant for the 2019 Hajj airlift, and said the funds were utilized for necessary preparations including aircraft maintenance and payment to service providers.
Specifically, the airline pointed to the much touted $900,000, saying NAHCON paid the money directly to two service providers in Saudi Arabia namely General Authority of Aviation ($400,000 and Tibah Airports Development Company ($500,000) on July 5, 2019.
“In spite of deft moves by some highly placed persons to frustrate the airline from the operations with late release of funds, Medview Airline airlifted 4,387 pilgrims from Kaduna, Yobe and Ogun State. The Pilgrims Boards in those states are living witnesses of the operation”.
In line with the terms of the contract with NAHCON, a Presidential committee was raised to reconcile the differences in payment to Medview Airline and the number of pilgrims airlifted, and this later metaphorized into a Ministerial Committee, where all issues were resolved.
“It is therefore strange for somebody to wake up and go to the rooftop armed trumpets and cymbal for a non-existent scam or diversion of funds all to smear Medview Airline Plc,” the notice said.
“Medview Airline is resolute to return to its leadership role in Hajj operations.”
