Simon Ateba

South African authorities impound a jet belonging to Ayo Oritsejafor with $9.3 million in it to buy arms for an unnamed security agency. But Nigerian government’s explanation raises further posers

The transaction was meant to be secret, at least to most Nigerians. But the events that unfolded blew it open and have triggered a full-blown scandal that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is desperately trying to contain.

On 5 September, a Bombardier Challenger 600 aircraft with registration number N808HG belonging to Ayo Oritsejafor, a close friend of President Jonathan and president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, left the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja stashed with $9.3 million. The money, allegedly meant to purchase arms for an unnamed security agency, was not declared to the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, thus flouting the money laundering law.

However, on arrival in South Africa, the cash was discovered and seized. The private jet was impounded and the occupants, two Nigerians and an Israeli, were detained. The matter remained under wraps until 15 September when reports about the money and arrests were made public by City Press, a South Africa-based newspaper.

The next day, on 16 September, the various actors began to provide explanations that left more questions than answers. First, Oritsejafor admitted ownership of the aircraft but denied any knowledge of the arms deal, saying that his jet was managed by another company, Eagle Air Company, which leased it to Green Coast Produce Limited, a third company, for the transaction.

Both companies confirmed Oritsejafor’s claims but denied involvement in the deal, claiming that it was not their responsibility to screen clients or their cargoes. It was the responsibility of aviation authorities and, in this case, the Nigeria Customs Services, which does not operate in the Presidential wing of the airport. “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 the 2nd of August 2014 been leased to and is operated by Green Coast Produce Limited,” said Emmanuel Ohaeri, general manager, Eagle Air Company. He asked that all media enquiries in respect of the day-to-day operations of the aircraft be directed to the management of Green Coast Produce Ltd.

Hours later, the management of Green Coast Produce Company Ltd released a statement, absolving itself of any blame. The company said the aircraft had been hired by John Ishyaku and could not be liable for any alleged infractions. “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 The company’s director, Shima Adun said in the statement that on the 6th of September 2014 (c) To wait and return with the passengers,” the company’s director, Shima Adun, said in the statement.

The statement added: “All cargoes were accompanied by passengers 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.”

Under pressure and as more questions were asked, the Nigerian government owned up, and opened talks with South Africa. The government released documents on the transaction and claimed the deal was legitimate, according to a statement by PR Nigeria, an agency that often releases media contents for the military, police and other security agencies in Nigeria.

PR Nigeria, Premium Times reported, quoted a senior government official as saying that the South African Government only faulted “non-declaration” of the cash by the delegation from Nigeria.