ACTIVIST lawyer, Mr Festus Keyamo, on Wednesday, raised an 11-point poser over the $9.3 million contained in a private aircraft from Nigeria to South Africa seized on Tuesday.
In a statement entitled: ‘The cock-and-bull story of the Federal Government over the smuggled $9.3million cash’, the lawyer faulted all the grounds offered by the government on the controversial arms deal.
Part of the official explanations were that the government was aware of the movement of the cash, as it was meant to purchase arms to fight insurgency; that the transaction was done by cash to ensure the speed of the transaction; that it resorted to buying from South Africa because of procedural bottlenecks in the purchase of such items from western countries.
Describing the official explanation as ludicrous, laughable and untenable, Keyamo said such story was best told to the marines.
He wondered: “is it really faster and safer to do an international transaction of such magnitude by ferrying cash across the continent or by a simple wire transfer that can go through in a matter of few minutes or few hours?
“If, indeed, the matter involves security issues like the purchase of arms by a foreign government like Nigeria, why was the South African Government not brought into the picture before hand?
“How could the South African Government be sure that the arms were purchased legitimately by the Nigerian government and not by insurgents if they were not officially informed beforehand?
“If indeed the manufacturer(s) of such equipment was/were expecting such large amount by cash, why did they not make adequate arrangements with the authorities in South Africa to declare and clear the cash on arrival?
“Why was money belonging to the Federal Government and meant for purchase of equipment for the Federal Government moved by a private jet and by private individuals and why were they not accompanied by the officials of the Department of State Services or the office of the National Security Adviser in official capacities?
“Why would a government that is at the peak of promoting the cashless policy in our economy be the chief breaker of that policy by moving such a large amount by cash?
“If, indeed, it was a legitimate transaction of the Federal Government, why were the officials of our embassy in South Africa not on hand to make the entry easier and smoother?
“Since the South African Government has said the amount is above the limit of cash allowed into that country, why would a whole government like Nigeria not know the simple immigration laws of a sister and friendly country before allowing that type of amount of cash to be taken to that country?
“Why would the Nigerian government seek to smuggle cash into a country without disclosure if it was, indeed, for a legitimate transaction?
“From where did the Federal Government source that amount in Nigeria? Was it from the Central Bank of Nigeria or from the black market? Nigerians demand answers to this with proof.
“Is it just a wicked coincidence that it is the aircraft belonging to a personal friend ally of the president in the person of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor (my big brother in Warri), that was used to smuggle the cash?”
Keyamo averred that the transaction negated global practices and raised issue of legitimacy.
Meanwhile, a Lagos-based lawyer and human rights activist, Mr Femi Falana has said that the President of Christians Association Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has a case to answer concerning the seized $9.3million by South Africa government.
Falana, whose view was also shared by Dr Olapade Agoro, said this while speaking on the theme, ‘Institutionalising Probity and Accountability in Governance: Perspectives and Methodologies’ at the Annual General Meeting and Integrity Awards of Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), which took place at Kudirat Abiola Way Oregun, Ikeja.
The human rights activist, who noted that the whole truth surrounding the seized plane and the money had not been revealed said “efforts have been made to play on our collective intelligence that the aircraft has been leased out to another company.”
Falana wondered whether a private person had the right to rent out an aircraft, saying “Does the pastor have the right to rent out the aircraft in the first instance?”
Dr Olapade Agoro, who spoke with newsmen, said as the president of CAN to which he is a member, Oritsejafor had questions to answer.
According to Agoro, who is the founder Aladura Christians Communion, “Oritsejafor has case to answer, without provable source of income, he got private jet. If the jet is donated, we need to know who is responsible for that.”
The two-time presidential candidate of National Action Council (NAC) noted that churches were springing up, but “societal problems are not solved.”
Falana noted that the issue became more embarrassing because the Federal Government had decided to do cover up, wondering why two private individuals would be hired to procure ammunition for a legitimate government and not the Ministry of Defence, which has the sole responsibility of doing such arms transaction.
Falana, who expressed worries that corruption had found its way into religious institutions, stressed that churches had questions to answer over funds they received in the name of charity.
“I challenge pastors who have diverted funds to fund varsities at the detriment of the children of their congregation who can’t afford the tuition fees, that is an illegality,” Falana said, even as he disclosed that some pastors were now afraid of traveling abroad because some of them were now under international investigation.