Pastor Oritsejafor Releases Statement On Private Jet Saga..

Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, yesterday explained his link with the Bombardier Challengers 600 jet which smuggled $9.3m cash into South Africa.

In a statement Pastor Oritsejafor admitted having an interest in Eagle Air Company that owns the Bombardier jet.

The pastor’s spokesman, Bayo Adewoye, in the statement on his behalf said:

 “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, who have confirmed that since August 2, 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.”

The Eagle Air company in another statement by Emmanuel Ohaeri, said:

 “Our attention has been drawn to press reports in respect of an aircraft (Bombardier Challenger 600, Registration No N808HG) in which our company holds a residual interest.

“We wish to confirm that the said aircraft has since August 2, 2014 been leased to and is operated by Green Coast Produce Limited.”

Admitting it operated the aircraft since August 2, Green Coast Produce Limited said it had been “running and managing charter services with the aircraft in accordance and compliance with global best practices.”

Giving the circumstances surrounding the South African trip, Green Coast Produce spokesman Dr Shima Adun said: 

“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.”