The Ministry of Finance speaking through a statement issued by its spokesperson, Paul Nwabuikwu has denied providing any import waivers to Coscharis Motors to import the armoured BMW cars into the country.
The ministry said the waiver was issued to the Lagos State Government to enable it import vehicles for its Sports Festival in 2012.
According to Nwabuikwu: “reports which claim that the federal ministry of finance granted a waiver to Coscharis Motors Nigeria Ltd for the purchase of armoured cars are totally false and without foundation.
“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.
“The waiver granted to the Lagos State Government for the event did not include the purchase of armoured vehicles.”