The sources said the transaction which was legal was also quite regular in international business, adding that the two were in South Africa to buy weapons needed in the face of security challenges in Nigeria.
There had been media reports that the money seized by the South African Revenue Service at Lanseria Airport, North West of Johannesburg, was to be kept at the Central Bank as the police continued with their investigation.
The security sources dismissed any insinuations of criminality or illegality about the matter, saying it was not uncommon in intelligence communities for countries to carry cash across borders for the purpose of purchasing ammunition needed during an emergency.
The sources noted that since the country had been facing security challenges, it had ordered weapons from the Western block which were being delayed over what they termed “compliance issue.”
In order to speed up the process, the country decided to buy the much- needed weapons from South Africa, adding that it was not unusual for countries to buy weapons through such transactions.
Admitting that the arrest was an embarrassment to Nigeria, one of the sources, however, noted that the two countries were meeting to resolve the matter which he termed “a protocol problem.”
According to him, western nations also do the same thing in a situation where they are facing serious security challenges, and that it is a common thing in the international community for such a transaction to take place.
Reacting to the seizure of the aircraft, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) yesterday said that it does not interfere with the operations of international aircraft that enter or leave the country. This also includes the movement of goods and persons.
According to the Coordinating General Manager of Aviation Agencies, Mr. Yakubu Dati, in a telephone interview, the checking and screening of goods and air passengers at all international airports in Nigeria are done by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) officials and not FAAN personnel. The record of such operations is not kept with FAAN as it does not oversee or supervise NCS and NIS, he added.
Also, the Word of Life Bible Church has said that its founder, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has no residual interest in the aircraft (Bombardier Challenger 600, Registration No N808HG) owned by Eagle Air allegedly found with $9.3 million packed in suitcases and which has been impounded by the South African authorities.
Media reports had linked the aircraft to Oritsejafor who is also the President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). In a statement by the Personal Assistant to Oritsejafor, Bayo Adewoye, the church said that although Oritsejafor holds an interest in Eagle Air, the aircraft in question is not operated by the pastor.
The statement read: “The Word of Life Bible Church has been made aware of the recent media interest regarding an aircraft (Bombardier Challenger 600, Registration No N808HG) owned by the company, 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 aircraft owned by Eagle Air Company, has confirmed that since 2nd August 2014, the aircraft 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.”
Meanwhile, the company to which the Bombadier Challenger was leased, Green Coast Produce Limited in a statement by Dr Shima Adun, said the aircraft with No N808HG was leased to them on 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 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 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 John Ishyaku. All cargoes were accompanied by a 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 the 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”, the statement concluded.
culled from TheGuardian
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