Nigeria Ministry of Aviation has confirmed that a private jet seized at the weekend by South African authorities stuck with $10 million (about N1.6 Billion) in cash meant for arms purchase, belongs to the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, even as the Pastor admitted that the jet was released on lease.
Oritsejafor’s private plane with US registration number N808HG was one of two jets cited by South African officials on September 5. The 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.
Nigerian aviation authorities disclosed that one of the jets belonged to Pastor Oritsejafor while the second one was registered to Felix Idiga, the owner of Jafac Aviation Limited.
Two Nigerians and an Israeli defense contractor, Eyal Mesiaka arrived in the jet when they were accosted in South Africa authorities. A South African source disclosed that Mr. Oritsejafor’s jet was released after top Nigerian officials intervened, claiming that the weapons to be purchased had the official blessing of the Nigerian government. The jet arrived with two plastic suitcases and two hand luggages with combination locks only known to the Isreali contractor, according to CityPress.
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