Two Nigerians and an Israeli were caught in a South African airport with undeclared $9.3 million (N1,517,760,000) cash in $100 bills trying to take it into the country in three suitcases.
According to South African media reports, the men claimed the funds were for the purpose of purchasing arms for Nigerian security services.
The money was seized by the South African police at the airport after they were caught illegally taking the money into the country on September 5, 2014, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has said.
Media reports in Nigeria named the owner of the private jet as belonging to the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ayo Oritsejafor.
However, a company named Eagle Air Company, has claimed ownership of the jet in a statement released on September 15, 2014.
The company has however denied complicity in the movement of the cash adding that the said aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 600, Registration No N808HG, was being leased to Green Coast Produce Limited, who have been operating it since August, 2, 2014.
The Management of Green Coast Produce Limited released a statement confirming that the aircraft was leased to it by Eagle Air.
The statement reads:
“We have since that time been running and managing charter services with the aircraft in accordance and compliance with global best practices.
“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 can not 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.”
