CAN President Ayo Oritsejafor Admits Ownership Of Seized Jet With $10million In South Africa

Following the investigation and report by SaharaReporters revealed that a Nigerian private jet caught in Johannesburg with $10 million belongs to Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the head of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Mr. Oritsejafor. (Read here)
The report has been confirmed by the aviation ministry who adds that Ayo Oritsejafor, the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, had however, leased the jet to another party. Meaning that Mr. Oritsejafor had no control over the use of the aircraft.


Mr. Oritsejafor’s church also confirmed the ownership in a separate statement Tuesday. That the pastor has a “residual interest” in Eagle Air, a company that manages the aircraft.

 “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 statement by The Word of Life Bible Church said. The aircraft was leased to, and is operated by Green Coast Produce Limited since August 2, the statement added.

Meanwhile in another statement, released by the management of Green Coast Produce Company Limited they confirmed the aircraft had been leased to it, saying such transactions were normal in the aviation industry. The company explained that the aircraft was in turn hired from it by one John Ishyaku and therefore would not be liable for any alleged infractions either in Nigeria or South Africa after the hire.
The company’s director, Shima Adun said in the statement that:

“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 Two Nigerians and an Israeli who were caught with the money allegedly meant for buying and supplying weapons to the Nigeria intelligence services on Sept 5, are already facing investigations.