…RCCG leader forced to fly Oyedepo’s aircraft
The Federal Government through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has grounded a private chopper belonging to Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God at the Lagos Airport, investigations by Sunday PUNCH, has revealed.

It was learnt that the aircraft, AgustaWestland AW139 chopper, with registration number 5N-EAA, was suspended from flying over two weeks ago, following the expiration of some of its papers and spare parts.

The suspension, officials said, would also allow the regulator to conduct vital safety checks on its safety-critical components, especially some spare parts that are due for replacement.

Adeboye had, last Saturday during a special meeting with all ordained ministers of the mission at the RCCG, Region 21, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, called for drastic action against corrupt practices in all facets of Nigeria.

The RCCG leader, who flew a chopper to the venue, said he arrived late for the meeting because someone had requested a bribe from him to fly his chopper.

He said he had decided to embark on the trip via his chopper to avoid a possible gridlock on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The 79-year-old mathematician-turned-preacher said, “I don’t give excuses because I have discovered long ago that only failures give excuses. But you must pray for Nigeria.


“Something must be done about corruption in this nation. All I can say is that I am this late because somebody wanted a bribe. And you know if you are expecting a bribe from me, you have to wait forever.

“But the devil has failed. And the devil will continue to fail. I decided to come by helicopter so that there won’t be a traffic jam that would tie me down on the expressway because I know what the devil could do.

“Then, I ran into something else. But by the grace of God, we are here.”

Although Sunday PUNCH could not ascertain who requested the alleged bribe from the revered servant of God, investigations by the paper revealed that the cleric’s chopper was suspended from flying by the regulatory authority over safety issues.

Multiple aviation sources confirmed that Adeboye could not fly his chopper with registration number 5N-EAA to the Ibadan programme but had to fly another aircraft reportedly belonging to Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel).

A top official of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, who is close to the operations of the two choppers belonging to the servants of God, said, “The team relating directly with Daddy G.O. should have told the man of God on time that his chopper had not been cleared by the NCAA and, as such, it couldn’t go on the Ibadan trip. They shouldn’t have waited till the last minute. The NCAA (aviation regulatory agency) that we have now is different from what it used to be. There is a new man in charge who always insists that things must be done properly as far as the safety of lives is concerned. The church’s protocol team should have told him that the NCAA has not cleared the aircraft and it may not clear it within a short time because certain procedure must be followed. As such, an alternative arrangement should have been made.”

The NAMA official, who chose to speak on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, further said, “On that last Saturday morning, when it later became obvious that the jet was not cleared to fly, they had to make an alternative arrangement with Bishop Oyedepo’s chopper. They had to quickly begin that process by filing the flight plan, etc. It was Bishop’s aircraft that Pastor Adeboye later flew to the event. He could not use his own.”

A top official of Omni-Blu Aviation, the airline operating the chopper for Adeboye, confirmed the development.

The official, who chose to speak on condition of anonymity, said a letter from Italy-based Leonardo, the manufacturer of Adeboye’s AW 139 helicopter, requesting the NCAA to grant a time extension on some spare parts that are due for replacement came late.

The spare parts due for replacement have been ordered from the manufacturer but they have yet to be shipped into Nigeria because they are usually produced on demand, according to Omni-Blu Aviation.

As such, the NCAA could not immediately grant the requested extension. Instead, the regulatory agency requested that comprehensive safety checks be conducted on the aircraft in line with standard aviation safety practice.

He said, “The NCAA that we have now is different from what it used to be. It always insists on standard. We don’t want any disappointing situation for anybody, especially for a globally reputed servant of God like Daddy G.O. It appears the man of God was not properly briefed. But we thank God an alternative arrangement was made to rescue the situation. Safety is first and paramount. No life is worth toying with, how much more that of a servant of God like Daddy G.O. As an airline, we won’t compromise safety no matter the pressure.’’

The Omni-Blu official denied knowledge of any bribe request, either by the airline or aviation officials.

He, however, said it was not impossible that some people might have cashed in on the situation to demand a bribe.

“You know some people don’t fear God no matter what. They can even go to the extent of asking a servant of God for a bribe. So, it is not impossible. But on our part, I am not aware of such.”

As it stands, it is uncertain when Adeboye’s chopper will be allowed to fly.

However, findings revealed that NCAA had directed maintenance and safety checks to be conducted on the aircraft.

As such, the operator has secured a date for this at Aero’s maintenance hangar.

When contacted for comments, the Director-General, NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu, confirmed that the regulatory agency had suspended flights on the aircraft for safety reasons.

According to him, the NCAA does not often deal directly with individuals or owners of aircraft but the operator.

In this case, he said the NCAA only had business with the operator of the aircraft, Omni-Blu Aviation.

Nuhu said, “There are safety-related issues that must be resolved before the aircraft will be approved for resumption of flights. Safety is the paramount consideration in all approvals given by the NCAA. No matter what, we must not sacrifice safety for flights; that is the whole idea.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for RCCG, Pastor Olaitan Olubiyi, said the matter was being resolved already.

On the bribery allegation, he said the church would not want to take issue with the aviation authorities on the matter.

Olubiyi said, “We will not want to take issue with the aviation authorities but I can assure you that an amicable solution is being found to the issue.”

Source: https://m.punchng.com/FG-suspends-Adeboyes-helicopter-from-flying

Adeboye is a too faced knife

Too many contradictions in this story :
The 79-year-old mathematician-turned-preacher said, “I don’t give excuses because I have discovered long ago that only failures give excuses. But you must pray for Nigeria.

This statement means his Jet’s are Ok
How did they release Bishop Oyedepo’s jet on short notice?

Or is he trying to tell us Bishop Oyedepo paid bribe?

They should even close the church , his silence on the war in Christendom have come to rob them mitchewww

Meanwhile Isa Pantani is busy registering foreign terrorists who have flooded the country and release our NIN database to terrorists

ALL THOSE KIDS QUOTING ME SHOULD READ THE STORY CAREFULLY



I KNOW I MADE SENSE

Two choppers with expired papers. That is a huge slap on the face of Redeemed members.
The person in charge should be heavily sanctioned

Safety is paramount. I’m glad he got to his destination

So if he had agreed to pay bribe NCAA would have released a chopper not airworthy to the Pastor

Jerryherd:
So if he had agreed to pay bribe NCAA would have released a chopper not airworthy to the Pastor

Exactly

Nothing new! Corruption is the reason for cutting corners even in an inherently unforgiven field like aviation where a compromised room of safety have disastrous consequences.

The expiration of the helicopter operation licence and the follow up restriction of flying because of the air unworthiness state of the choppers is understandable. However allowing them to be flying and demand of bribe to re-certify is damning.The NCAA official(s) involved must be fished out.

Adeboye flying Oyedepo? Means Oyedepo is more superior

When you hear the other side of the story, you will be shocked!

This is a big dent on RCCG's image if true. Such an organization should have air safety department.

The untouchables are gradually becoming scratched

O wa OK nau, may just be for the MOG's good, safety first!

Nobody should be above the law, a good leader leads by example.

Pastor Adeboye, the man who will play convenient diplomacy till he exits this earth.

He's still saying pray for Nigeria. Lol. Many years after he has exited this earth, many more Redeemed members will be kidnapped, of course if Nigeria still exists.

My only wish is that the kidnapped victims 'pray for Nigeria' when they are in the den of the kidnappers.

Did they ask for bribe or they indicated that they wanted to be bribed, these are completely 2different things?

So if they asked for bribe what did you do that required some form of bribe to let you through?

I know we will never get answers to these kind of questions in Nigeria as everyone will come to a bias and sentimental conclusion

It’s all about 2023.
If you know. Whose side is he on, the cabals , Osibanjo or BAT?

I cum in Peace ✌️



Na only to read comments

License and certification in Nigeria means paying dues.

No checks, no specs. Just pay and have your license.

I am with baba on this. They wanted bribe, he didn't pay, then they said your license is due. They ask and request for irrelevance, frustrate you so you wish you had payed for bribe.

Another sad reality is our media houses. They dont investigate, just bring money with what you want written. Non is spared, including punch. Nigeria is far from Redeemed.


To save this nation, we must rescue our media

You can't stop the gospel

A little bird dancing in the middle of the road has a drummer in the bush.
Daddy G.O, the lord will continue to keep you.

;[i][/i] misplaced priority

bolaayenimo:
Two choppers with expired papers. That is a huge slap on the face of Redeemed members.
The person in charge should be heavily sanctioned

Are u sure that's d case or d FG getting back at d man for RCCGs petition against fashola regarding an uncompleted road project?

In Summary, some officials wants Baba Adeboye to bribe them so that they can release grounded chopper to him. Issoikay

Sensational news

Adeboye is not above the law

Why not report that chopper's papers had expired as the screaming headline.

Gullibility has become a lifestyle in Africa

bolaayenimo:
Two choppers with expired papers. That is a huge slap on the face of Redeemed members.
The person in charge should be heavily sanctioned

then you should know that, the bribe allegations maybe true after all

If there is any church I like thier organization is winners. Redeem is not doing enough. Just look at convenant university rubbing shoulders withe the best in Africa. This can't be said about redeemers university. Oyedepo I tap into your grace of exceptional and world-class organizational ability.

Mokason288:
Adeboye is a too faced knife

Too many contradictions in this story

They should even close the church , his silence on the war in Christendom have come to rob them mitchewww

Meanwhile Isa Pantani is busy registering foreign terrorists who have flooded the country and release our NIN database to terrorists

Just cuz he wasn’t an Igbo right?
Make una kwontinue..

Mokason288:
Adeboye is a too faced knife

Too many contradictions in this story

They should even close the church , his silence on the war in Christendom have come to rob them mitchewww

Meanwhile Isa Pantani is busy registering foreign terrorists who have flooded the country and release our NIN database to terrorists

u have sense like this or they should put sense on you. can't you read that it's only they said it's expired. They should close the church, the one your father has, they should leave it open. sense is far from you.

nothing deh happen the chopper is covered in the blood no need for safety checks

Having a flight machine no be moin-moin ooo Daniel Amokachi can testify to this.it consumes alot of money.

ALISMILE:
Did they ask for bribe or they indicated that they wanted to be bribed, these are completely 2different things?

So if they asked for bribe what did you do that required some form bribe to let you through?

I know we will never get answers to these kind of questions in Nigeria as everyone will come to a boss and sentimental conclusion

Did you even read what you wrote... So if a lecturer says I should bribe him before passing an exam, I must have done something to require a bribe abi?