A private jet that conveyed $9.3 million cash from
Nigeria to South Africa for an arms deal between
the two countries, had Nigerian crew members,
and passengers from Israel and Austria, new
documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES in
Johannesburg have shown.
There were three Nigerians aboard the plane, the
documents show.
PREMIUM TIMES obtained the manifest of the jet
that transported the huge sum, and has confirmed
the identities of the passengers and crew who
delivered the controversial package.
South Africa seized the money early September,
accusing the Nigerian government of violating its
laws regulating the transfer of cash.
Another payment by the Nigerian government for
arms to combat the extremist Boko Haram sect,
was also confiscated. The second transfer,
totalling $5.7 million, was wired through the
banks.
The South African ambassador to Nigeria was
later quoted as saying the money had been
returned to Nigeria, a claim that has yet to be
verified.
Details of the first transaction, revealed by a
South African newspaper, City Press, said an
Israeli and two Nigerians were aboard the
airplane that transported the sum to Lanseria
airport in South Africa.
The first tranche of the money was conveyed to
South Africa on September 5 in two plastic bag
suitcases and two hand luggage aboard an
airplane belonging to Ayo Oritsejafor, the
chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria,
CAN.
While the Nigerian government confirmed the
transactions, it denied violating any foreign law.
The government also refused to provide the
names of those aboard the airplane.
In its report, widely quoted in the Nigerian media,
City Press said the Israeli passenger, Eyal Mesika,
had the key to the combination lock of the
suitcases. The paper also said two Nigerian
passengers were aboard the plane. It quoted
South African law enforcement officials.
The report however did not reveal the identities of
the Nigerians, and South African officials also
declined to provide those details to PREMIUM
TIMES when contacted from Nigeria by telephone.
In an investigation that involved visiting South
Africa, PREMIUM TIMES has obtained documents
showing details of the transaction, including the
flight manifest of the airplane.
The listing shows that beside Mr. Mesika, the
only Nigerians on board the aircraft were crew
members.
The other two passengers who conveyed the cash
were Austrians, the manifest shows.
The two Austrians are named, R. Wolfgang and
M. Michael.
The flight crew members of the Project Eagle Air
jet with flight number: N808HE were Ojongbede
R.T (captain), Fejoku U, (flight officer) and
George E.E (flight attendant).

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