Ayodele Oritsejafor, president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has admitted the ownership of the private jet loaded with $10 million cash meant for arms purchase, which was seized, last weekend, in Johannesburg, by South African authorities.
He however explained that the aircraft had been leased to another party as at the time it was seized in South Africa.
A statement released by The Word of Life Bible Church, Oritsajafor’s church on behalf of the pastor partly says Pastor Oritsejafor does not operate the said aircraft adding that it was leased to, and was operated by Green Coast Produce Limited since August 2.
Eagle Air Company, the company that manages the aircraft, had earlier admitted ownership of the jet in which two Nigerians and an Israeli were caught with the money loaded in three suitcases allegedly meant for the purchase of weapons to be delivered to the Nigeria Intelligence Services.
The company said it leased the aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 600, with Registration No N808HG to Green Coast Produce Limited since August 2.
Shima Adun , Green Coast’s director, confirmed in a statement that the aircraft had been leased to it but was in turn hired by one John Ishyaku and therefore the company would not be liable for any alleged infractions either in Nigeria or South Africa after the hire.
The company and Ortisejafor’s church advised that all media enquiries in respect of the operations of the aircraft be directed to the management of Green Coast Produce Limited.
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