Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) said yesterday that Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor cannot divorce himself from the smuggling of $9.3m from Nigeria to South Africa ostensibly to buy arms.
But Pastor Oritsejafor defended his integrity, saying he knew nothing about the cash, which was taken into South Africa on September 2 in a private jet owned by Pastor Oritsejafor but leased to a company, has been seized by an agency of the South African government. Two Nigerians and an Israeli were ferrying the cash.
The CAN president has defend his integrity, saying enemies of Christianity were linking him to the deal.
Falana, in a statement in Lagos, contended that the explanation by CAN that the jet was leased to another company was an admission of the breach of the law.
According to him, “ a jet registered for the facilitation of evangelism cannot be leased to another company for commercial purposes as churches are registered under part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) as non-profit making organisation.”
“If Pastor Oritsejafor is lucky that he is not prosecuted for breaching the CAMA, he owes Nigerians a public apology. The CAN leadership cannot afford to engage in attacking its political opponents in a matter pertaining to the breach of the law,” Falana said.
The lawyer, who also noted that the Federal Government, was relying on diplomatic resolution of the money laundering case pointed out that such effort will not yield any result.
“Having not learnt any lesson from the disgraceful case of Chief James Ibori, the Federal Government is currently embroiled in an unnecessary controversy with South Africa over the arrest of two Nigerians and an Israeli for smuggling $9.3 million into that country.
“The three suspects are alleged to have contravened the provisions of Section 30 of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act NO 38 of 2001 of South Africa, which stipulates that a person intending to convey an amount of cash in excess of the prescribed sum of $10,000.00 to or from South Africa ‘must report the prescribed particulars concerning that conveyance to a person authorised by the Minister for this purpose’.
“The centre applied for an order of interim forfeiture from a High Court for seizure of the fund. In granting the application, the court ordered that the fund be kept in the Reserve Bank for 90 days. Within that period the suspects are at liberty to convince the court why the fund was not declared. Otherwise, a final order will be made for the confiscation of the money.
“As the said sum of $9.3million was not declared at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the suspects equally breached Section 1 of the Money Laundering Act 2011 of Nigeria which provides that the transportation of cash or negotiable instruments in excess of $10,000.00 or its equivalent by an individual in or out of the country shall be declared for the Nigeria Custom Service” which shall report same to the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Economic and the Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC),” he said.
Pastor Oritsejafor told the National Executive Council meeting of CAN that he was never a party to the movement of the $9.3m cash. “I want to assure you that I will not do anything to tarnish the image of Jesus Christ or compromise the divine standard of the church,” he said.
“I believe that the primary institution that I owe any explanation to is the church. At the risk of being seen to be defending myself, I wish to confirm to the distinguished leaders of the church that the Bombardier Challenger 601 aircraft in question is mine. The aircraft was presented to me as a gift by members of our congregation and ministry partners worldwide at my 40th anniversary of my call into the ministry.
“May I be permitted to stress that the aircraft was not given to me by the President of Nigeria, neither was it a settlement for any political favour or patronage.
“With the benefit of hindsight, the President of the country was a guest in our church during the anniversary celebration when the jet was presented to me.”
http://thenationonlineng.net/new/oritsejafor-falana-clash-over-smuggled-9-3m/

This is a serious case o..

brb lemme read b4 i coment

He should be procueted along side the president.

From all wht u put up above, hw did they clash.

in case.,

mperoakeem: in case.,

In case of what?