The private jet seized over weekend by South African
authorities with a stack of $10 million in cash meant for arms purchase,
belongs to Ayo
Oritsejafor, the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN,
the aviation ministry confirmed yesterday.
Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, had however leased the jet to
another party, Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, told PREMIUM TIMES, meaning
Mr. Oritsejafor had no control over the use of the aircraft.
Mr. Oritsejafor’s church also confirmed the ownership in
a separate statement Tuesday. The church said the pastor has a “residual
interest” in Eagle Air, a company that manages the aircraft.
“On behalf of Pastor Oritsejafor, we can confirm that
although he holds an interest in Eagle Air, the aircraft in question is not
operated by Pastor Oritsejafor,” the statement by The Word of Life Bible Church
said. The aircraft was leased to, and is operated by Green Coast Produce
Limited since August 2, the statement added.
In an earlier statement, Eagle Air Company admitted
ownership of the jet held in South Africa for conveying $9.3 million cash for
alleged arms deal.
Two Nigerians and an Israeli were caught with the money
allegedly meant for buying and supplying weapons to the Nigeria intelligence
services.
City Press, a South Africa-based newspaper had reported
that the trio, who are already facing investigations, landed at Lanseria
International Airport, Johannesburg on September 5, in the jet from Abuja with
the money loaded in three suitcases.
The spokesperson for the South African Revenue Service,
SARS, Adrian Luckay, confirmed that customs officers became suspicious when the
passenger luggage were unloaded and scanned.
In a statement by its General Manager, Emmanuel Ohaeri,
Eagle Air Company also claimed holding a “residual interest” in the aircraft, a
Bombader Challenger 600, Registration No 808HG. The company however said
it leased the aircraft to Green Coast Produce Limited since August 2.
The statement said, “Our attention has been drawn to
press reports in respect of an aircraft (Bombardier Challenger 600,
Registration No N808HG) in which our company holds a residual interest.
“We wish to confirm that the said aircraft has since the
2nd of August 2014 been leased to and is operated by Green Coast Produce
Limited. The company and Mr. Ortisejafor’s church advised that all media
enquiries in respect of the day-to-day operations of the aircraft be directed
to the management of Green Coast Produce Limited.
In yet another statement, the management of Green Coast
Produce Company Limited confirmed the aircraft had been leased to it, saying
such transactions were normal in the aviation industry.
The company explained that the aircraft was in turn hired
from it by one John Ishyaku and therefore would not be liable for any alleged
infractions either in Nigeria or South Africa after the hire.
The company’s director, Shima Adun said in the statement
that “On the 5th of September 2014 the aircraft was hired from us by a John
Ishyaku. The charter to John Ishyaku was upon the following documented terms:
(a) Depart Abuja-Johannesburg on the 5th of September 2014 (b) Return to Abuja
on the 6th of September 2014 (c) To wait and return with the passengers”.
The company said as with every other aircraft charter
company, its knowledge of the cargo carried on the aircraft was in accordance
with the information provided by ABC Limited.
“All cargoes were accompanied by passenger who could
readily defend the contents. We are not and cannot be privy to any alleged
extraneous cargo transported on the aircraft other than that declared in the
agreed terms of hire,” the firm said. “We are not liable and cannot be
construed as a party to any alleged infractions, either in Nigeria or South
Africa as he case may be, after the hire of the aircraft,” it added.
In a related story, the Federal
Government yesterday opened diplomatic discussions with South African
authorities on the seizure of $9.3m illegally imported by two Nigerians and an
Israeli citizen to purchase arms on behalf of Nigerian security services. The
Nigerian government insisted that the deal was legal.
It was gathered that the Federal
Government has released data and documents on the transaction process to South
Africa, thereby confirming that the entire operation involving the aircraft was
‘genuine’.
According to Vanguard, the Bi-Focal
diplomatic talks with South Africa were both at governmental level and
exchanges by intelligence services of the two nations.
Sources said the diplomacy also
covered sharing of vital security information to prove that the deal was
necessary.
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