The management of Med-View Airline has disproved reports of the airline’s alleged fraud in hajj operations contract with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in 2019.
Recall that Bankole was reported to have been detained on Monday at the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja.
He was invited by the commission in respect of alleged diversion of hajj funds.
Bankole was said to have received funds from NAHCON and additional $900,000, for the airlift of pilgrims in 2019.
He was alleged to have received the funds as mobilisation, but failed to execute the contract.
However, the airline said in a statement signed by its executive director, business development, Mr. Isiaq Na-Aallah that there was no scam or diversion of funds meant for the 2019 Hajj airlift.
He said the funds were utilised for necessary preparations including aircraft maintenance and payment to service providers.
The statement entitled ‘No scam in Med-View Airline 2019 hajj airlift’ Na-Allah stated that NAHCON paid “the much touted $900,000 directly to two service providers in Saudi Arabia namely General Authority of Aviation ($400,000 and Taibah Airports Development Company ($500,000) on July 5, 2019.”
Continuing, he said: “In spite of deft moves by some highly placed persons to frustrate the airline from the operations with late release of funds, Med-View Airline airlifted 4,387 pilgrims from Kaduna, Yobe and Ogun States. 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 Med-View Airline and the number of pilgrims airlifted, and this later metaphorised 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 Med-View Airline Plc.
“Med-View Airline is resolute to return to its leadership role in Hajj operations.”
