The Aircraft with $9.3 Million and the Truth about CAN President Involvement

The said aircraft was leased to, and is operated by Green Coast Produce Limited. This was the claim of Green Coast Produce Limited, the company who said they hired the aircraft out and was confirmed by Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka.

The management of Green Coast Produce Company Limited confirmed the aircraft was 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”.

The company said as with every other aircraft charter company, its knowledge of the cargo carried on the aircraft was in accordance with the information provided by ABC Limited. “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,” the firm said.

“We are not liable and cannot be construed as a party to any alleged infractions, either in Nigeria or South Africa as the case may be, after the hire of the aircraft,” it added.