Presidency May Be Linked To Seized $9.3m
— Sep 17, 2014
Indications emerged last night
that the presidency might have a link to the $9.3million cash seized in a
plane by the South African authorities at the Lanseria International
Airport.
A source close to the matter disclosed to LEADERSHIP last night that the incident could not be the handiwork of a private individual as the cash involved a huge sum of money.
The source said, “I can authoritatively say that the issue is above an individuals or states because the seized amount is a huge sum of money – $9.3million.
“Another point is the relationship between the presidency and the owner of the plane, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. Don’t forget that the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) maintains a cordial relationship with the presidency.
“You will also realise that the way the money left the country indicates connection at the highest level as such a large of sum of money cannot leave our airport without authorisation and clearance from the regulatory authorities who must have been given directives by the powers that be.
“The role and the intervention of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa is worthy of note as it played a crucial role in securing the release of the occupants of the plane and the aircraft. All these aforementioned issues point to a powerful source where the money came from.”
‘No Nigerian on the plane’
Contrary to newspaper reports on Tuesday that two Nigerian citizens were among the occupants of the seized aircraft which carried three suitcases containing over $9.3m, LEADERSHIP can authoritatively confirm that there was no Nigerian in the aircraft.
The report which quoted a South African news medium said that South African authorities were investigating two Nigerians and an Israeli citizen who it said, tried illegally to bring $9.3 million in cash into the country.
The three persons were said to have flown by a small business jet from Abuja into the Lanseria International Airport, northwest of Johannesburg, on September 5 and had cash equivalent of N1.5 billion in unused $100 bills, packed in three suitcases and claimed that the money was meant for buying arms for the Nigerian intelligence service.
But a source close to the seized plane confided in LEADERSHIP that no Nigerian was on board the plane.
The source said, “I can authoritatively tell you that there is no Nigerian on board the seized plane. The truth of the matter is that those on board were one South African, one Isreali and another white man, were the only occupants of the plane.”
According to the source, the plane departed Nigeria on September 6, 2014 and arrived at about 6pm, but there was a 12 hour delay over documentation matters before departure from Abuja.
He added that on arrival, the first problem that confronted the occupants was the issue of Yellow Fever certification.
The sources further disclosed that the said $9.3m was discovered shortly before luggage screening and the occupants were interrogated by two Colonels and two Customs officials on September 7.
Upon interrogation, the occupants were said to have claimed that the money was needed to lease helicopters.
The development took the intervention of the Nigerian High Commissioner in South Africa and some top officials from the presidency to get bail for the occupants of the plane from the South African authorities.
The aircraft, allegedly belonging to Word Of Life Bible Church was released on September 8 and flew back to Nigeria the following day but the money was kept for further investigation.
…FG releases data to South Africa on transaction
There were further indications yesterday that Nigeria may have opened diplomatic talks with South Africa on how to resolve the stalemate on the controversial $9.3m seized funds as 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 security source said the diplomacy also covered sharing of vital security information to prove that the deal was necessary. He recalled that the South African Government only faulted “non-declaration” of the cash by the delegation from Nigeria.
His words: “Nigeria and South Africa are getting closer to diplomatic resolution of the row over the $9.3m 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 would 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: “There was procedural error at the airport, the team did not declare the $9.3million 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.”
Speaking further, 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.”
Nigerians have been reacting to the seized $9.3m and calling on the federal government to immediately investigate the sources and owners of the money which they said was illegally moved from the country.
NCAA to sanction crew
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said the authority would sanction the crew of the private jet linked with illegal laundering of about $9.3 million in South Africa.
NCAA’s deputy general manager, public affairs, Mr. Sam Adurogboye who disclosed this in Lagos yesterday said currently the issues pertaining to the matter is currently being handled by the two governments, Nigeria and South Africa, stating that money laundering was a criminal offence.
His words, “What l can tell you now as NCAA”s position is that money laundering is a criminal offence. The matter is being handled at the two governments’ levels. If at the end of investigation and the crew are found culpable, we will sanction them,” he said.
According to an online report, a Nigerian private jet caught in Johannesburg with $9.3 million allegedly belongs to Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the head of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The CAN president’s private plane with US registration number N808HG was one of two jets cited by South African officials on September 5.
The report said, Oritsejafor’s jet arrived South Africa with $9.3 million cash loaded in several suitcases. News of the seizure of the cash broke over the weekend, triggering questions about the ownership of the jets and weapons they intended to purchase.
CAN Reacts
CAN Director of National Issues, Mr Sunny Obie, who reacted on behalf of the CAN president, said the report was a well-organized orchestrated plan, all because of their desperation for the 2015 general elections.
“The aircraft 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 leased this aircraft and people rent it from them. Anybody in this country will attest to the fact that Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has been following Chartered Airlines.
“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.
Ezekwesili reacts
Former minister for Education and leader of the BringBackOurGirls Campaign, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili who reacted through her twitter handle expressed shock that a whopping $10m could be taken out of the country in that manner.
“Has anyone at home officially publicly reacted to this horrific story of trafficking of $10m cash from Nigeria to South Africa. Something is definitely unhinged if a whopping $10m could be taken in cash out of public purse for public procurement in another land,” she said.
Aircraft owner reacts
In its own reaction, the Project Eagle Air Company owners of the seized aircraft, confirmed that the plane was leased to Green Coast Produce Limited. A statement signed by Mr Emmanuel Ohaeri for Project Eagle management said, “Our attention has been drawn to press reports in respect of an aircraft (Bombardier Challenger 601 Registration No: N808HG..) in which our company holds a residual interest.
“We wish to confirm that the said aircraft has since 2nd of August 2014 been leased to and is operated by Green Coast Produce Limited. Any and all enquiries in respect of the day-to-day operations of this aircraft are properly directed to Green Coast Produce Limited.
We’re not liable, says Green Coast
In her reaction, the Green Coast Produce Limited said yesterday that it was not liable for any criminal offence or engagement in illicit deal.
In a statement signed by Dr Shima Adun and made available to journalists, the company, explained that the terms were normative within the industry. “A Bombardier Challenger 600 aircraft Registration No N808HG was leased to us, Green Coast Produce Company Limited, on the 2nd of August 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: depart Abuja-Johanesburg on the 5th of September 2014. It was also billed to return to Abuja on the 6th of September 2014 and subsequently wait and return with the passengers.
The statement signed by Dr Shima Adun stated, “he said terms are normative within the industry.”
Financial value of arms exports by South Africa (2000–2009)
South Africa is the only African country with an industrial capability to produce a wide range of military products. The report, by SIPRI senior researcher Pieter Wezeman, estimates that South Africa exported major conventional weapons to 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and to the African Union (AU) in the period 2000-2009.
In the same period the region accounted for 14% of South Africa’s total major arms exports, while sub-Saharan African countries (excluding South Africa) imported only 0.2% of their arms from South Africa.
According to South African government figures, R34.5 billion (US$5 billion) worth of equipment was exported from 2005-2007. Of the total, R1.7 billion (US$241 million) or 4.9% was accounted for by exports to sub-Saharan African countries. State arsenal Denel, regarded as the largest arms-producing company in South Africa, reported that during 2009 only R50 million (US$6.7 million) of its total export revenue of R1.23 billion rand (US$165.8 million) came from sales to sub-Saharan Africa.
A source close to the matter disclosed to LEADERSHIP last night that the incident could not be the handiwork of a private individual as the cash involved a huge sum of money.
The source said, “I can authoritatively say that the issue is above an individuals or states because the seized amount is a huge sum of money – $9.3million.
“Another point is the relationship between the presidency and the owner of the plane, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. Don’t forget that the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) maintains a cordial relationship with the presidency.
“You will also realise that the way the money left the country indicates connection at the highest level as such a large of sum of money cannot leave our airport without authorisation and clearance from the regulatory authorities who must have been given directives by the powers that be.
“The role and the intervention of the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa is worthy of note as it played a crucial role in securing the release of the occupants of the plane and the aircraft. All these aforementioned issues point to a powerful source where the money came from.”
‘No Nigerian on the plane’
Contrary to newspaper reports on Tuesday that two Nigerian citizens were among the occupants of the seized aircraft which carried three suitcases containing over $9.3m, LEADERSHIP can authoritatively confirm that there was no Nigerian in the aircraft.
The report which quoted a South African news medium said that South African authorities were investigating two Nigerians and an Israeli citizen who it said, tried illegally to bring $9.3 million in cash into the country.
The three persons were said to have flown by a small business jet from Abuja into the Lanseria International Airport, northwest of Johannesburg, on September 5 and had cash equivalent of N1.5 billion in unused $100 bills, packed in three suitcases and claimed that the money was meant for buying arms for the Nigerian intelligence service.
But a source close to the seized plane confided in LEADERSHIP that no Nigerian was on board the plane.
The source said, “I can authoritatively tell you that there is no Nigerian on board the seized plane. The truth of the matter is that those on board were one South African, one Isreali and another white man, were the only occupants of the plane.”
According to the source, the plane departed Nigeria on September 6, 2014 and arrived at about 6pm, but there was a 12 hour delay over documentation matters before departure from Abuja.
He added that on arrival, the first problem that confronted the occupants was the issue of Yellow Fever certification.
The sources further disclosed that the said $9.3m was discovered shortly before luggage screening and the occupants were interrogated by two Colonels and two Customs officials on September 7.
Upon interrogation, the occupants were said to have claimed that the money was needed to lease helicopters.
The development took the intervention of the Nigerian High Commissioner in South Africa and some top officials from the presidency to get bail for the occupants of the plane from the South African authorities.
The aircraft, allegedly belonging to Word Of Life Bible Church was released on September 8 and flew back to Nigeria the following day but the money was kept for further investigation.
…FG releases data to South Africa on transaction
There were further indications yesterday that Nigeria may have opened diplomatic talks with South Africa on how to resolve the stalemate on the controversial $9.3m seized funds as 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 security source said the diplomacy also covered sharing of vital security information to prove that the deal was necessary. He recalled that the South African Government only faulted “non-declaration” of the cash by the delegation from Nigeria.
His words: “Nigeria and South Africa are getting closer to diplomatic resolution of the row over the $9.3m 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 would 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: “There was procedural error at the airport, the team did not declare the $9.3million 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.”
Speaking further, 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.”
Nigerians have been reacting to the seized $9.3m and calling on the federal government to immediately investigate the sources and owners of the money which they said was illegally moved from the country.
NCAA to sanction crew
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said the authority would sanction the crew of the private jet linked with illegal laundering of about $9.3 million in South Africa.
NCAA’s deputy general manager, public affairs, Mr. Sam Adurogboye who disclosed this in Lagos yesterday said currently the issues pertaining to the matter is currently being handled by the two governments, Nigeria and South Africa, stating that money laundering was a criminal offence.
His words, “What l can tell you now as NCAA”s position is that money laundering is a criminal offence. The matter is being handled at the two governments’ levels. If at the end of investigation and the crew are found culpable, we will sanction them,” he said.
According to an online report, a Nigerian private jet caught in Johannesburg with $9.3 million allegedly belongs to Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the head of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
The CAN president’s private plane with US registration number N808HG was one of two jets cited by South African officials on September 5.
The report said, Oritsejafor’s jet arrived South Africa with $9.3 million cash loaded in several suitcases. News of the seizure of the cash broke over the weekend, triggering questions about the ownership of the jets and weapons they intended to purchase.
CAN Reacts
CAN Director of National Issues, Mr Sunny Obie, who reacted on behalf of the CAN president, said the report was a well-organized orchestrated plan, all because of their desperation for the 2015 general elections.
“The aircraft 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 leased this aircraft and people rent it from them. Anybody in this country will attest to the fact that Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has been following Chartered Airlines.
“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.
Ezekwesili reacts
Former minister for Education and leader of the BringBackOurGirls Campaign, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili who reacted through her twitter handle expressed shock that a whopping $10m could be taken out of the country in that manner.
“Has anyone at home officially publicly reacted to this horrific story of trafficking of $10m cash from Nigeria to South Africa. Something is definitely unhinged if a whopping $10m could be taken in cash out of public purse for public procurement in another land,” she said.
Aircraft owner reacts
In its own reaction, the Project Eagle Air Company owners of the seized aircraft, confirmed that the plane was leased to Green Coast Produce Limited. A statement signed by Mr Emmanuel Ohaeri for Project Eagle management said, “Our attention has been drawn to press reports in respect of an aircraft (Bombardier Challenger 601 Registration No: N808HG..) in which our company holds a residual interest.
“We wish to confirm that the said aircraft has since 2nd of August 2014 been leased to and is operated by Green Coast Produce Limited. Any and all enquiries in respect of the day-to-day operations of this aircraft are properly directed to Green Coast Produce Limited.
We’re not liable, says Green Coast
In her reaction, the Green Coast Produce Limited said yesterday that it was not liable for any criminal offence or engagement in illicit deal.
In a statement signed by Dr Shima Adun and made available to journalists, the company, explained that the terms were normative within the industry. “A Bombardier Challenger 600 aircraft Registration No N808HG was leased to us, Green Coast Produce Company Limited, on the 2nd of August 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: depart Abuja-Johanesburg on the 5th of September 2014. It was also billed to return to Abuja on the 6th of September 2014 and subsequently wait and return with the passengers.
The statement signed by Dr Shima Adun stated, “he said terms are normative within the industry.”
Financial value of arms exports by South Africa (2000–2009)
South Africa is the only African country with an industrial capability to produce a wide range of military products. The report, by SIPRI senior researcher Pieter Wezeman, estimates that South Africa exported major conventional weapons to 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and to the African Union (AU) in the period 2000-2009.
In the same period the region accounted for 14% of South Africa’s total major arms exports, while sub-Saharan African countries (excluding South Africa) imported only 0.2% of their arms from South Africa.
According to South African government figures, R34.5 billion (US$5 billion) worth of equipment was exported from 2005-2007. Of the total, R1.7 billion (US$241 million) or 4.9% was accounted for by exports to sub-Saharan African countries. State arsenal Denel, regarded as the largest arms-producing company in South Africa, reported that during 2009 only R50 million (US$6.7 million) of its total export revenue of R1.23 billion rand (US$165.8 million) came from sales to sub-Saharan Africa.
No comments:
Post a Comment