Oritsejafor's Company Claims Ownership of Nigerian Plane Seized with $ 9.3 million Cash

A Nigerian company in which the Christian Association of Nigeria President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor owns stake has claimed ownership of the Bombadier Challenger 600 that was seized in South Africa when an undeclared sum of $ 9.3 million (an equivalent of about N 1. 54 billion) was found on it. Three men, two Nigerians and an Israeli were apprehended upon the discovery of the money, packed in three suitcases in $ 100 denominations. Upon questioning, the men reportedly stated that their mission was to buy weapons for Nigeria’s security forces.

Reports had been

flying in Nigeria that the jet belonged to the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritejafor before Eagle Air Company claimed ownership of the jet. The company however denied any involvement in the currency smuggling operation that put the plane in the news. It revealed via a statement that the plane was leased to Green Coast Produce Limited, which has been operating it since August 2, 2014.

The management of Green Produce also released a statement in which it confirmed that the plane was indeed leased to it.

The statement reads in part:

“We have since that time been running and managing charter services with the aircraft in accordance and compliance with global best practices.

“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-Johanessburg 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 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 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.

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.

We issue this statement without prejudice to any statutory or commissioned investigation being conducted or to be conducted in South Africa or Nigeria.”