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Monday 13 May 2013

Private jets used to smuggle cash, fugitives - FG

According to a Punch report, the Federal Government believe that private jets in Nigeria are being used not only to smuggle money out of the country, but also to smuggle wanted criminals out of the country. See the report below.
The Federal Government on Sunday said illegal consignments and cash in local and foreign currencies were being smuggled on daily basis in and out of the country aboard private jets.
It also said some persons that securities agencies had declared wanted were being airlifted out of the country aboard private and chartered jets.
As a result, it insisted that pilots flying such jets must declare the passenger manifest before being allowed to take off.
An aircraft manifest contains the names of all persons aboard the plane, among other things.
The Coordinating Information and Communications Manager for aviation parastatals, Mr. Yakubu Dati, told reporters in Lagos on Sunday that the order for the declaration of passenger manifest was necessary to check the abuse of the use of private and chartered jets.

He said for security reasons, especially the need to arrest those who had constituted security threats to the country, the government would not renege on its decision for pilots of private jets to file their manifests before being given Air Traffic Control clearance.

Dati said security operatives had disclosed that many wanted persons were being smuggled out of the country with private jets.

He also stated that some wanted persons were being sneaked into the country without appropriate checks as many private jets take off from private facilities at airports.

Dati spoke on the heels of the criticism that have trailed the introduction of some new policy measures for the private jet sub-sector in the country.

The government had through the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2013 unveiled two weeks ago directed pilots of private jets to file their manifests before obtaining ATC clearance.

It also said foreign registered private jets could only spend 15 days in the country, just as the policy also barred private jet owners from carrying friends and business associates.

Aviation stakeholders as well as the Action Congress of Nigeria had, however, severely criticised the policy, saying most of its provisions were not obtainable in any other part of the world.

An aviation expert and former Military Commandant, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Group Captain John Ojikutu, said the demand for passengers’ manifest on private aircraft could only be done by the State Security Services.

 “The need for passengers’ manifest on private aircraft, if required, can only be the responsibility of the State Security Services, and in the case of private aircraft on international flight, the Nigerian Immigration Service,” Ojikutu said

But Dati insisted that what the government wanted to do was to monitor the operations of unscheduled flights as well as their manifests due to the current security situation in the country.
According to him, charter services by private jets have become a lucrative business in the country and 80 per cent of the private jets have private licences, but carry out commercial operations.
This, he said, constituted safety challenges because aircraft with private licences were not being subjected to compulsory maintenance checks as those with commercial licences were made to do by the regulatory body, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority.

He also regretted that about 80 per cent of the 150 private jets operating in the country were registered overseas; a situation he said exempted them from paying taxes and five per cent charges to the NCAA.

Dati said, “So, when you collate what government agencies lose by the illegal operations of these aircraft, it amounts to over N25bn in a year. And I can authoritatively tell you that it is now a lucrative business that businessmen bring in aircraft to operate as private jets, while they are actually used for commercial purposes.

“So, it makes nonsense of those charter operators who follow the laid down processes and whose business has now been taken away by the illegal private operators.”

49 comments:

BONARIO NNAGS said...

"private jet used to smuggle cash,fugitives"
It takes a thief to know one. wetin concern Keke napep and AC. first they were accused of lapping their friends.
How are we to know,like we fly it in the dream.

~BONARIO~says so via NOKIA3310

BLOGLORD (MVBM) said...

of course I knew that had to be the main craze why they are all rushing to own one!
when will Nigeria ever get better?

Anonymous said...

Na wa ooooooo...first to comment#wide grin

Flora said...

What's new, na today? The Government is looking for recognition and praise where it is not deserved. If their regulatory agencies do their jobs properly, they would curb these crimes to a minimal. We know all about smuggling and stuff, what are the Government agencies doing about them?

Unknown said...

Sentiments aside, his argument actually does hold water. I can't imagine a Private Jet (PJ) taking off in the US and the NTSB or FAA not being privy to the identity of the passengers onboard.
Another point worthy of mention is that the moment you pay to ply in a private jet, you're no longer flying private jet but commercial. And there's a difference between this and chartering a jet.

Unknown said...

Federal gov't ke? No be dem be the smugglers and criminals? They now expose demselves. Ayekoo!

ladyKaren said...

Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom is number 1 suspect. He should be arrested.

Unknown said...

I think is rit, but dey knew dis 4 long time ago. Is just like my country never act wen something never goes wrong.

Anonymous said...

One suspect is Gov.Akpabio

Cute G said...

That's nice!!What else do we expect frm our beloved country?

sQo said...

I like my Government guys. They don't like rivals. Lol.
How can u be smuggling money and criminals whn Jona has not finished smuggling his

Anonymous said...

Since Bonario and his gang have been recognised, more people have stop posting comment as an anonymous. I can see people already displaying their identity. At last, LIB comment section is no longer faceless.
Anyway sha, as for me and my gang, it will be anonymous for life.
One day, we will also be recognized.

gistyinka blog said...

nigeria is great... am shoot of word... mre news,gist,gossip and scoop here at www.gistyinka.com

Apple said...

I KNEW IT!!!

ANYA IKENGA said...

desperate situations require desperate measures. ACN should shut the f##k up

Asmao said...

Imagine using a pastor n a private jet to move cash,that's some major movement...it is well,no it's not.We need to use cetain pple's blood to cleanse d land!

Anonymous said...

well, if i were smuggling cash into and out of the country and i don't want the federal government to know, i'll buy a yacht.

shakara ologe said...

Very true.Nse Etim-I wasn't born to get married.Detail at SHAKARA OLOGE'S BLOG. http://shakaraologe.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

So it should be abolished or be unreasonably censored?
Is Jonathan government not corrupt? Then should it be disbanded before the expiration of her tenure? Common sense is what matters!

★★PRINCE CHARMING™★★ said...

Too much of limitations placed on private jets would just reduce the value of the luxury perceived and implied by private jets, then where would be the value of the huge amount used to buy them? All the authorities gotta do is be more vigilant and employ stricter ways of reducing illegal acts.

Ebukah Emmanuel Nzeji said...

The FG might have a point,but who uses PJs if not the FG. Hehe,they just shot themselves in the foot.

Ebukah Emmanuel Nzeji said...

Pls visit Ebukah Nzeji's Blog to read about things you didn't know about Fela Kuti.

Pat Nonso Nnoli said...

Hmm...will that measure be sufficient?

mimi said...

linda i need more news i'm seriously bored. and you are my only source of entertainment in swansea. thank you. it need not be interesting as long as its something i can read, made up or not. pls no music video

Anonymous said...

I hope FG get dis right. U guy re so on point. Linda y u no de ever post my comment?

lloyd oliver said...

Private jets are used to smuggle money out of the country? Says who??the Federal Government??? I'm laughing already.This a typical case of the kettle calling the pot black...

Anonymous said...

Don't mind the clowns!!!!They know themselves,International thief thief.private jet ko,commerical jet ni.God will save nigeria someday.

Anonymous said...

Good thinking

tonii said...

Abegi aLl the criminals and wanted persons that they have arrested what have they done to them? Criminals go free every day as long as its a big man and of cause no be poor man dey use private run.
Make we hear word abeg the only thing I see there is that they want to find a way to make sure taxes are paid so that its more revenue for them to steal. Mtchew

Anonymous said...

I believe there are agency that is responsible for searching of private jet before flying out of the country....I'm shame to say this but the fact reminds that those whom are stealing government money abroad knows them self and also knows the ways to stop them, not to talk of those whom are using Oyibo so called expatriate to steal our money abroad, now they don't only steal money abroad but use the money they have stolen from government to build estate in Abuja (maitama ) where a piece of land is sold for 850million, they use our money to build estate for them self imagine house that has be built for 10years now nobody has be able to occupy the compound because the amount they are asking is too much, this country is f**k up. what a shame.

Anonymous said...

This is no country, a place where some people want to enrich themself with government money,a country where the major reason why people want to rule is to enrich themself and their family and friends. All nigerian leaders are thiefs.

Anonymous said...

Makes a lot of sense.

Mobb deep said...

Nigeria is a confused state and I pray it doesn't get to a state of total failure! As far as I know, there is a manifest once you board a pj but the one of declaring to whatever authority to get clearance is a total joke. They claim its been used for malpractices but they forget they all are scammers from head to toe. This govt is not ready for the people or the masses, hence the lack of priority to know what the nations needs and when they need it.

Boro haram is just politics and the govt is fully involved likewise them knowing people or groups sponsoring this terrorist that's why they cannot offer solutions. Amnesty is just a way to act like they are working but trust me, lot of people made money from Niger delta amnesty programme that has lead no where and more would still make with the boro haram stupid amnesty.

One day thunder would fall from heaven! shikena

Anonymous said...

I totally agree. All this people should checked I mean the politicians. They are so desperate for 2015 that they are stockpiling arms

Unknown said...

not my business, i dont have one now and am not planing to buy anytime soon.

Anonymous said...

bla bla bla...mtcheeeeew...NEXT pls.....#ugojoy

Anonymous said...

Its a welcomed development...

Anonymous said...

Hmm, well brethens, u can see woh ve been talkin about all dis days....."Try n liv dis CURSED country"....cause very soon, even d police station won't b safe 4 u 2 run to, trust me....Sucide would den b an option.. So make hay while d sun is still warm

GOD's SON

Kuruna said...

Gbamish!!only time on God's earth i've ever seen u make any sense

Kuruna said...

Chu hu banka ni,da'iska

Anonymous said...

LINDA YOU WERE SARCASTIC ABOUT THIS POLICY THE VERY FIRST TIME YOU POSTED THIS AND THAT SHOWS THE EXTENT OF YOUR WIT.

Anonymous said...

Mr bonario,I must tell u this, u lack constructive thinking ability...#David_sugar

Anonymous said...

Then me and dangote we switch to yacht then **bullshit everyday

Anonymous said...

The corruptions in this country is beyond private jets,after giving a state pardon to a criminal that dress like a woman to be able to fly abroad through federal/public aircraft now they r telling us sh*t about smuggling money through privet jet,who is deceiving who?Good decision @ the wrong time that is our problem in this country whereas our leaders know the good decision initially but they are not going to make it until it get worst and cant be control,,baba fela don talk everything finish in his music

Oby Azike said...

I knew it

obyazike.blogspot.co.uk

Anonymous said...

wew I got the first place here lolz

theodora said...

dats how they embezzle public fund.

Oyinkan said...

Nigerians, please stop saying God will come down from heaven and save you. He will never do that. Help yourselves. The end.

Anonymous said...

@David_Sugar abi wetin u call urself... Wetin concern sugar with taste of salt? Before dem talk dis news, u knw say dem dey use jet for money laundery too? Na who dey chop pepper soup know wen 2 drink water. So dem don see say some ppl don dey use am dey theif pass dem when never get, so they wan close d road. Shine ur eyes Nigerians we are made this way so we have to manage this way. Make dem hope say dem save money buy jet too because e no go work. No dem dey use am do commercial service... Naija una no dey gree... Only una turn private jet to private airline. Agofure and dem goody edosa line go soon dey. Lwkmd

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