$9.3m arms deal: Oritsejafor opens up

PRESIDENT of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and founder of the Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has denied his handling of the operation of Eagle Air, following the seizure of an aircraft, Bombadier Challenger 600, with registration number 808HG, by South African authorities with a stack of $9.3 million in cash purportedly meant for arms purchase.

This was contained in a press statement signed by one of Oritsejafor’s aides, Pastor Bayo Adewoye and made available to the Nigerian Tribune.

According to the release, Oritsejafor confirmed the ownership of the aircraft, but denied any involvement of its operations, arguing that the aircraft was leased to and operated by Green Coast Produce Limited.

“The Word of Life Bible Church has been aware of the recent media interest regarding an aircraft (Bombardier Challenger 600, Registration No N808HG) owned by Eagle Air, in which our pastor, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, holds a residual interest.

“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 read in part.

The statement further insisted that the aircraft had been handed over

to Green Coast Produce Limited since August 2, 2014.

“The aircraft, owned by Eagle Air Company, has been leased to and is operated by Green Coast Produce Limited. This is a standard practice in the industry. ‘‘Any and all enquiries in respect of the day-to-day operations of this aircraft are properly directed to the management of Green Coast Produce Limited. We will be happy to help the authorities with any enquiries,” the statement concluded.

...Nigeria, South Africa open diplomatic talks •FG releases data on transaction, insists deal was legal   •Jet back in NigeriaTHERE were indications that Nigeria has opened diplomatic talks with South Africa on how to resolve the stalemate on the controversial $9.3 million seized funds.

Also, the Federal Government has released data and documents on the transaction process to South Africa.

The government allegedly told South Africa that the transaction was “legitimate.”

It was learnt that as a result of the preliminary diplomatic talks, the Challenger Jet might have been released to the government, pending the conclusion of a comprehensive investigation by South Africa.

According to findings, the bi-focal diplomatic talks with South Africa were both at governmental level and exchanges by intelligence services of the two nations.

A reliable source said the diplomacy also covered sharing of vital security information to prove that the deal was necessary.

It was gathered that the South African government only faulted “non-declaration” of the cash by the delegation from Nigeria.

The source said “Nigeria and South Africa are getting closer to diplomatic resolution of the row over the $9.3 million transaction. The two nations have opened up discussions.

“The Federal Government has submitted relevant data and documents on the transaction to South Africa and insisted that the transaction was legitimate.

“It also clarified that the funds were not laundered or smuggled for any covert manoeuvres. No launderer will be audacious to fly into a country in a chartered jet with such a huge cash.

“The technical details on security matters, which necessitated the desk, had been availed South Africa for screening.

“Based on initial scrutiny of the documents, the Challenger Jet has been released, pending the conclusion of a full-scale investigation by South Africa.”

Asked why South Africa impounded the cash, the source added that “there was procedural error at the airport, the team did not declare the $9.3 million contrary to the aviation and customs laws in South Africa.

“So, there was an oversight on the part of the delegation that went to complete the transaction. Nigeria is trying to complete the formality and we are confident that the cash will be released for the purpose it was meant for.”

The source said “movement of cash for strategic purchase of security equipment by intelligence service is not new; it is a global trend. The FBI, KGB, MOSSAD and others do it.”

CAN spits fire
By Pascal Okeke  and Shola Adekola

THE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said its attention had been drawn to the desperation of some elements working for a particular political party to tarnish the image of its president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor over the aircraft that took 2 Nigerians with $9.3 million to South Africa.

In a statement signed by its Director of National Issues, Mr Sunny Oibe, CAN said “these characters, including a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, had once said there are three sets of Boko Haram in Nigeria: Islamic Boko Haram, Politicians’ Boko Haram and Christians’ Boko Haram, which he said are being funded by President Goodluck Jonathan and coordinated by CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor.

“He went further to claim that the CAN President has been given N50 billion and a jet by the president.”

The statement said the aircraft in question was owned by Eagle Air Company and the CAN president was an interested party in the company, adding that since August 2, the aircraft had been leased to Green Coast Produce Limited.

“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,” the statement read.

...NCAA tooNigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Tuesday, vowed to sanction the crew members of the chartered plane if found guilty.

The threat may, however, be a tall order, as the affected jet was not registered in the country.

Key players said the Nigerian Customs Service should, rather, be held responsible, as they were supposed to check the jet before departing the country for South Africa.

A former commandant at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Group Captain John Ojikutu (retd), also blamed the NCAA, alleging that some of the foreign registered aircraft in Nigeria were used for money laundering purposes.