The Executive Secretary of the? Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Mr John Kennedy Opara yesterday in Abuja denied the allegation that? he took a one-million-dollar bribe from a Turkish airline? to approve it for the transportation of pilgrims.
Opara denied the allegation while fielding questions at a? forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The NCPC boss insisted that the claim was a figment of? imagination of those he described as enemies of the? commission, saying that the NCPC operations had always been? transparent.
Opara explained that the selection of airline operators for? the transportation of pilgrims to and from the holy land? was not entirely the prerogative of the commission.
“ It is unfortunate that people talk of corruption in a? Christian organisation asking the churches that they should? not liaise with the commission.
“It is very unfortunate and funny because if you go the? website you’ll see the system. Carriers bid; everything is? done by the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil? Aviation Authority; they send their recommendation to Mr? President and the president will select the best air? carrier.I don’t have the power to approve any airline.”
Opara told NAN that the composition of the board of the? NCPC was such that would not give room for any form of? corruption, especially in a process that involved other? agencies of government.
He described the allegation as an insult to the? personalities of the chairman of the NCPC board and the CAN? president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor who also doubles as the? leader of the federal government’s delegation to Christian? pilgrimages.