The Christian Association of Nigeria and the firms operating the
aircraft that was used to smuggle $9.3m cash from Nigeria to South
Africa have absolved the CAN National President, Pastor Ayo
Oritsejafor, of involvement in the deal.
They argued that although the man of God had interest in Eagle Air
Company, the owner of the aircraft used to take the money to South
Africa, the firm had been leased to Green Coast Produce Limited since
August 2, 2014.
The Director of National Issues in CAN, Mr. Sunny Oibe, in a statement
issued in Abuja on Tuesday said Oritsejafor was not an arms dealer.
The association also said the report carried by an online portal was
sponsored by some members of the opposition political party because of
Oritsejafor's support for President Goodluck Jonathan.
The statement partly read, "The aircraft in question is owned by Eagle
Air Company and the CAN President is an interested party in the
company. Since August 2, 2014, this aircraft has been leased to Green
Coast Produce Limited. They lease this aircraft and people rent it
from them. All investigations about the plane should be directed to
the management of Green Coast Produce Limited, a duly registered
company. Further enquiries about this should be confirmed from Eagle
Air Company which leased this Aircraft.
Also, a statement issued on behalf of Oritsejafor's church and signed
by one Mr. Bayo Adewole, corroborated this, adding that the aircraft,
a Bombardier Challenger 600, Registration No N808HG) was owned by
Eagle Air.
Adewola, however, added that Oritsejafor "holds a residual interest"
in the company.
"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."
Also, a statement signed by Mr. Emmanuel Ohaeri, on behalf of Eagle
Air Company, directed all questions and issues regarding the aircraft
to Green Coast Produce Limited.
Reacting, Green Coast Produce Limited said that they hired the jet to
John Ishyaku, adding that it was within the industry practice to do
so.
The company in a statement signed by Dr. Shima Adun, said, "A
Bombardier Challenger 600 aircraft Registration No N808HG was leased
to us on the August 2, 2014. We have since that time been running and
managing charter services with the aircraft in accordance and
compliance with global best practices.
"On September 5, 2014 the aircraft was hired from us by one John
Ishyaku. The charter to John Ishyaku was upon the following documented
terms, Depart Abuja-Johannesburg on September 5, 2014, return to Abuja
on September 6, 2014, to wait and return with the passengers.
"The said terms are normative within the industry.
"As with every other aircraft charter company, our knowledge of the
cargo carried on the aircraft was in accordance with the information
provided by ABC Limited. All cargo were accompanied by passengers 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 company said it was not liable and could not be construed as a
party to any alleged infractions, either in Nigeria or South Africa.
"We issue this statement without prejudice to any statutory or
commissioned investigation being conducted or to be conducted in South
Africa or Nigeria," he said.
--PUNCH
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