SaharaReporters has closely monitored the illegal movement of private jets into and outside Nigeria by people of means in defiance to the Nigerian Government’s regulation on the travel restriction.

he Nigerian Government's regulation placing a ban on international flights during the Coronavirus pandemic is only effective by half measures, SaharaReporters has established.

On March 23, 2020, the government shut the airports against international flights to help curb the spread of the deadly virus in the country.

Announcing the ban, Musa Nuhu, Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, said, “Further to our earlier letter on the restriction of international flights into Nigeria, we wish to inform you that effective Monday, 23rd March at 2300Z to 23rd April at 2300Z, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos (DNMM) and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (DNAA) will be closed to all international flights.

“This is in addition to the closure of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (DNKN); Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu (DNEN); and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa (DNPO) effective Saturday, 21 March at 2300Z.

“Henceforth, all airports in Nigeria are closed to all incoming international flights with the exception of emergency and essential flights.”

However, SaharaReporters has closely monitored the illegal movement of private jets into and outside Nigeria by people of means in defiance to the Nigerian Government’s regulation on the travel restriction.

For example, a private jet – a Bombardier Express 7000 with registration number VP-CBT – controlled by All Progressives Congress' chieftain, Bola Tinubu, on June 7, 2020 conveyed his son, Seyi, from Lagos to Stansted Airport, London, United Kingdom.

Captain Giannetakis Michail piloted the luxury jet for that trip.

A former two-term governor of Lagos, Tinubu is by far one of the wealthiest men in Nigeria today.

He has allegedly continued to feed fat on public funds he amasses through cronies he had planted in key public offices across the country.

In February 2019, a group, Free Lagos Movement, accused him of placing his relatives in key positions in the state, noting that the APC leader had turned Lagos to his “personal cottage”.

A member of the movement, Comrade Mark Adebayo, while addressing journalists at the time, said, “It is still baffling to the majority of Nigerians how Lagos State has ended up becoming a personal cottage industry of one individual, who solely determines the fate and destiny of about twenty million people. For almost twenty years now, Lagos has become his fiefdom, with trails of personal aggrandisement, staggering corruption and virtual enslavement.”

The ex-Lagos governor controls two private jets – one through his younger sibling – Wale Tinubu – and a Falcon 900X with registration number T7-JAT to his name.

Recall that the jet registered in Wale Tinubu’s name was at the centre of the controversy at Aso Rock Villa two weeks ago after it was used to fly President Muhammadu Buhari’s Personal Assistant, Sabiu ‘Tunde’ Yusuf, from Abuja to Lagos and back.

Upon returning to Abuja, Yusuf was prevented from entering Aso Villa after refusing to embark on a 14-day isolation period as stipulated by the COVID-19 safety guideline.

This led to a crisis and a shooting incident in the Villa that culminated in the sacking of several security personnel attached to the President and First Lady, Aisha, who has since been drawn into ‘war’ with Yusuf and other powerful individuals around Buhari.

Also, during the ongoing travel restriction ban put in place by the Nigerian Government to further curtail the spread of Coronavirus, two children of oil magnate, Folorunsho Alakija – Folarin and Rotimi – were onboard a private jet with registration number VP-CFO from Lagos to Luton Airport, London, on May 22, 2020.

On May 8, 2020, six members of the late Chief of General Staff, Vice Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe’s family all boarded a private jet with registration number 5N-KAS from the Muritala Mohammed Airport, Lagos to Stansted Airport, London.

Those on the flight include Okhai-Akhigbe Esiomekhai, Okhai-Akhigbe Uwekhai Eleose, Okhai-Akhigbe Iretekhai, Akhigbe Ogionwo and Akhigbe Aikenosi.

Jet with registration number 5N-KAS
On May 16, 2020, Karl Olutokun Toriola, Vice President, West and Central Africa of MTN, was onboard a private jet with registration number FLJ611 from Spain to Nigeria with Lagos lawyer, Aisha Rimi, and four other persons.

Toriola had earlier boarded another private jet with registration number D-AWIN from Lagos to London on April 18, 2020 – weeks after Nigeria’s international airports were ordered closed by the government.

Rimi is the wife of former Lagos Commissioner for Tourism and sitting Director-General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Folarin Coker.

In March 2018, they were at the centre of a major scandal involving the diversion of the sum of N3bn from an account of Lagos State Government.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission told a court that the money was diverted from the account of Lagos State Government Number Plate Production Authority when Coker was the managing director.

The money was paid into the account of the company allegedly owned by Rimi.

Findings by SaharaReporters also revealed that Belo-Osagie Yasmin, daughter of billionaire, Hakeem Belo-Osagie, a former chairman of the board of directors of United Bank for Africa, was the only passenger in a private jet with registration number D-CAWX, which flew from London to Nigeria on May 8, 2020.

The estimated cost of the trip was $100,000 – N38.7m – when converted to Nigeria’s currency.

On Monday, SaharaReporters had exclusively reported that Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, violated President Buhari’s travel restriction ban and Quarantine Law to fly his wife and kids to London on a Global Express Bombardier 550 luxury jet with registration number N104DA belonging to businessman, Aliko Dangote.

It costs at least $10,000 per hour – about N3.8m – to fly on this luxury jet.

Meanwhile, despite the ban on international flights by many countries around the world following the outbreak of the Coronavirus, private jets have been allowed to land at the Stansted Airport and other similar facilities by the United Kingdom authorities as Britain is one of few countries to keep their borders open during the pandemic.

Between March 23 when the UK declared a lockdown to April 19, a whopping 545 private planes were said to have entered Britain, according to a report by Daily Mail.

The report said 99 of these private jets came from Coronavirus-stricken countries such as Spain, United States, France and Germany at the time.

More private jets from Nigeria and other countries of the world have since flown into the UK on a regular basis after that period as a result of Britain’s open border policy.

The UK presently has 306,210 confirmed Coronavirus cases and 42,927 recorded deaths from the disease while Nigeria has 21,371 confirmed infections and 533 recorded deaths as a result of the pandemic.

http://saharareporters.com/2020/06/24/exclusive-bola-tinubus-son-alakijas-children-belo-osagie%E2%80%99s-daughter-late-akhigbes-family

The Alakijas

Late Chief of General Staff, Vice Admiral Mike Okhai Akhigbe

Aisha Rimi

Yasmin Belo-Osagie, her father, Hakeem Belo-Osagie and Aliko Dangote

Our say does not matter

Na dem dem


Dem go settle las las

Some Brits are not very pleased!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8233875/amp/How-private-jets-flying-hundreds-passengers-coronavirus-hotspots-UK.html

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL BAN
With the introduction of the novel coronavirus, Countries have been forced to impose an international travel ban among other measures against the spread of COVID-19. These countries include; the United States, which has a record of 2,253,095 active cases and has kept its border partially opened, presently the united states is willing to allow about 14 countries including China (if it reciprocates) through its border. Brazil has recorded an active case of 520,883 and also has its border partially opened, but countries like India with active cases of about 311,565 has kept its border completely close, while the United Kingdom has no restriction but has an active case of 245,325.
Below are some countries and their travel restrictions;
GHANA
Ghana’s has closed its borders to international travel since March 21. On May 31, President Akufo-Addo announced that the border will remain closed “until further notice.” International commercial flights will not be available during this time
KENYA
On May 16th, movement restrictions were imposed into and out of Kenya through the Kenyan-Tanzania and Kenyan-Somali international borders, with exceptions for cargo vehicles. On March 25, the Kenyan government suspended all international flights in and out of the country. Domestic air travel resumed on July 15th under the Ministry of Health and Transport guidelines. International flights will resume August 1st under strict health guideline.
MOROCCO
The country announced the suspension of all international passenger flights on March 15. The Government of Morocco has also announced the partial reopening of its borders beginning on Tuesday, July 14 at midnight making certain types of travel possible starting on July 15) especially to allow Moroccan residents to return and foreign citizens to depart the country.
NAMIBIA
The Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services has confirmed 1032 cases of COVID-19 in Namibia. Of these, 31 have recovered. 2 Fatalities. International commercial flights are not available out of Namibia, and will not resume until at least September 18, 2020
SOUTH AFRICA
The South African Ministry of Health has confirmed 298,292 cases of COVID-19 within its borders. All airports in South Africa are closed to commercial travelling. As of March 28, foreign citizens are not currently eligible for the “visa on arrival” option, and any visas issued to foreign citizens before the lockdown have been revoked. Once commercial flights resume, please do not plan travel to South Africa until you speak to the nearest South African Embassy to determine current entry restrictions. There isn’t any information on when commercial flights will resume, or if visa restrictions will be lifted.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATE

Dubai residents can now travel abroad. Returning residents will need to request permission from Dubai’s immigration service. To enter Abu Dhabi, individuals must present a COVID test conducted in the last 48 hours from an approved facility or schedule an appointment for a laser blood test. These regulations are subject to changes. The UAE currently does not have any curfews.
fines varying from 1000-100,000 Emirati dirhams would be placed on individuals who fail to follow rules and regulations to curb the spread of COVID-19.

UNITED KINGDOM
If you travelling into the UK you will be required to provide UK officials with contact and travel information before arrival by completing the Public Health Locator Form. This form must be completed by each member of your travelling party. Individuals arriving in the UK must self-isolate for 14 days and maybe contacted to verify compliance.
MEXICO
Mexico confirmed 324,041 positive cases of COVID-19 within its borders as of July 16. Mexico placed a ban on non-essential travel which includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational. The restrictions are in place until at least July 21. If you would be travelling to Mexico you should carry evidence of the essential nature of your visit. On arriving at Mexican airports, you may be subject to health screenings which include temperature checks. Those exhibiting symptoms may be subject to additional health screening and/or quarantine. Expect to experience significant delays and face the possibility of being returned to your country or quarantined in Mexico.
CHINA
The Chinese government continues to take steps to try to control the spread of the virus, including mandatory quarantine for citizens and foreigners entering China.
Travellers should prepare for the possibility of travel restrictions and quarantine fees with little or no advance notice, additional steps may vary from place to place, individuals should inquire with local authorities on specific policies before travelling within China.
INDIA
Incoming travellers including Indian nationals are advised to avoid non-essential travel and are to be informed that here is the possibility of been quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days on their arrival in India. The Indian government has also announced that travellers who have visited Italy or Republic of Korea will need a certificate of having tested negative from COVID-19 from the designated laboratories authorized by Health Authority of these countries before entering the country, this is a temporary measure till cases of COVID-19 subside. All incoming travellers, including Indian nationals, arriving from or having visited China, Italy, Iran, Republic of Korea, France, Spain, and Germany after Feb. 15, 2020, shall be quarantined for a minimum period of 14 days. All passengers coming from UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait would be placed under compulsory quarantine for a minimum period of 14 days which shall come into effect.

Many countries continue to release an update on various measures, including border control in a bid to fight the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of its citizens, until a vaccine will be found. Visit various countries embassy website to follow up on travel update in this pandemic.
It hasn't been the most convenient of time for travellers and might remain so for months to come. How hopeful are you that thing would return to normal?
https://roundtripholidays.com.ng/covid-19-international-travel-ban-2020/

donbachi:
Our say does not matter

Yes, your say does matter, unless you'd like to claim your brain does not work, otherwise, you can campaign and vote to get someone else or yourself elected instead.