Ayo Oritsejafor admits ownership of cash-stacked jet seized in SA

  Some days ago there were reports that a private jet was seized and two Nigerians were being investigated for trying to smuggling $9.3 million in cash into South Africa (read here). It turns out that the private jet the money was found in belongs to the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN president, Ayo Oritsejafor via a company he co-owns, Eagle Air. But in a statement released today, Pastor Oritsejafor said he had leased the jet to another company so had no control over the use of the jet.

"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 was leased to, and is operated by Green Coast Produce Limited since August 2” a statement from the church read.

Green Coast Produce Limited then released a statement saying that the aircraft was hired by one John Ishyaku and therefore they can't be liable for any alleged infractions either in Nigeria or South Africa after the hire.

“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. All cargoes 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." the company said.

The  private jet carrying the money, allegedly meant for buying weapons, landed at Lanseria International Airport, Johannesburg on September 5. The money was loaded in three suitcases but attracted suspicion when the suitcases were scanned. The money and the jet have been seized by SA customs pending investigation.

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, released a statement yesterday reacting to reports about the seized private jet in South Africa that implicated its National President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. CAN called out El Rufai and APC national spokesperson, Lai Mohammed for attacking Oritsejafor and Sahara Reporters for reporting in their own words 'falsehood'. Find the statement below

Our attention has been drawn to the desperation of some elements working for a particular political party within our society to tarnish the image of the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor. They are working for the All Progressives Congress and they are not unknown to us.

Let Nigerians have this background for them to judge themselves. These shameless characters including a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasir El-Rufai and National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress, Lai Mohammed, went to UK to embark on an image laundering for their political party, the APC. 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 by the President and a Jet. The same characters, went head to sponsor a negative report in Saharareporters. I had expected that by now no sane mind will take any report by Saharareporters serious because it is an online news medium which thrives on falsehood and survives on false propaganda and blackmail. The aircraft in question is owned by Eagle Air Company and the CAN President is an interested party in the company.