Deal between Attorney-General and Minister for Justice on one hand and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, a company headed by respected lawyer, Wale Babalakin
Aondoakaa panics over Bi-Courtney deal
By DICKSON OMONODE
The hue and cry usually associated with the process of privatization in Nigeria is currently at play again, and at the centre of it all is Michael Kasse Aondoakaa, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice on one hand and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, a company headed by respected lawyer, Wale Babalakin. Of course, several questions are being asked, and the high-point, according to the National Daily would be the 'massive mobilization to frustrate the efforts of the concessionaire by opposing stakeholders,' unless an enduring compromise is reached, as the National Assembly plans to fully wade into the matter this week. The deal,
which started in 2004 during Olusegun Obasanjo's era as President, had seen the company signing a concession deal which industry analysts believe is legally binding 'but morally impaired'. National Daily gathered that in spite of the fact that the concession was supposed to last for 12 years, based on the agreement the past administration had with Bi-Courtney, the government of Yar'Adua, through facilitation by the AGF, Michael Aondoakaa has extended it to 36 years. The change, insiders say is attributable to Aaodoakaa's closeness to Wale Babalakin, who is not only a friend and professional colleague of the Minster's, but also a honourary special adviser to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua on legal matters. A top source said that at the moment, Chief Aondoakaa is under tension, more so as a group called Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders intends to begin a nationwide mobilization to insist on the sack of the minister, who in recent times has been enmeshed in series of allegations bothering on corruption and abuse of office. After being fingered in attempts to frustrate the money-laundering case currently going on in London against Chief James Ibori and others, it seems the most unlikely time for the AGF to be involved in yet another scandal.
Aondoakaa panics over Bi-Courtney deal
By DICKSON OMONODE
The hue and cry usually associated with the process of privatization in Nigeria is currently at play again, and at the centre of it all is Michael Kasse Aondoakaa, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice on one hand and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, a company headed by respected lawyer, Wale Babalakin. Of course, several questions are being asked, and the high-point, according to the National Daily would be the 'massive mobilization to frustrate the efforts of the concessionaire by opposing stakeholders,' unless an enduring compromise is reached, as the National Assembly plans to fully wade into the matter this week. The deal,
which started in 2004 during Olusegun Obasanjo's era as President, had seen the company signing a concession deal which industry analysts believe is legally binding 'but morally impaired'. National Daily gathered that in spite of the fact that the concession was supposed to last for 12 years, based on the agreement the past administration had with Bi-Courtney, the government of Yar'Adua, through facilitation by the AGF, Michael Aondoakaa has extended it to 36 years. The change, insiders say is attributable to Aaodoakaa's closeness to Wale Babalakin, who is not only a friend and professional colleague of the Minster's, but also a honourary special adviser to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua on legal matters. A top source said that at the moment, Chief Aondoakaa is under tension, more so as a group called Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders intends to begin a nationwide mobilization to insist on the sack of the minister, who in recent times has been enmeshed in series of allegations bothering on corruption and abuse of office. After being fingered in attempts to frustrate the money-laundering case currently going on in London against Chief James Ibori and others, it seems the most unlikely time for the AGF to be involved in yet another scandal. 
