The Ministry of Aviation has revealed that facts available to the ministry suggests that the operators of the bombardier aircraft allegedly belonging to the Rivers state government obtained several flight clearances from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authorities (NCAA) using forged documentation.
A statement by the Special Assistant on media to the Minister of Aviation on Thursday says that “the said aircraft attempted to and did operate within the Nigerian airspace on the 26th of April 2013 without any flight clearance whatsoever in total violation of all extant civil aviation laws and regulations.”
The statement adds that “there is also the matter of the coat of arms and identity of the government of Rivers state being emblazoned and displayed on the aircraft in question, when there is no record or evidence of the state government’s ownership, lease, or other recognized legal or beneficial interest in the aircraft presented to or filed before the civil regulatory authorities.”
The statement further adds that “available records indicate that the aircraft is currently registered to Bank of Utah trustee until 30th of September 2015”, and such registration is not transferable.
The ministry has therefore directed a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the actual ownership of the aircraft in question.
It stated that upon conclusion of these internal investigations, it will take all necessary steps required by law.
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