The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, this afternoon denied as “totally false and without foundation” reports that she granted duty exemption for the bullet-proof cars purchased by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) which is now subject to investigation by the National Assembly.

Clearing the air on the issue, Okonjo-Iweala said in a statement issued by her Special Adviser, Paul C Nwabuikwu:

“Rather, on June 23, 2012, the Lagos State Government applied for Waiver of Destination Inspection Charges and Duty Exemptions for Coscharis Motors Nigeria Ltd, the official Automobile Partner for the National Sports Festival (“EKO 2012”), to purchase 300 vehicles on its behalf for the event.

“Since the Lagos State Government met the laid down criteria, the waiver was granted.

It is also important to clarify that the waiver granted to the Lagos State Government for the event did not include the purchase of armoured vehicles.”

Coscharis Motors has meanwhile denied that the cost of the vehicles was inflated as alleged by those calling for the sack of Aviation Minister Stella Oduah over the issue.

•Photo shows Okonjo-Iweala.