Four human rights group have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) asking the anti-corruption agency to seize a private jet owned by former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Dan Etete.
The group said the jet estimated to be worth $56m was purchased with alleged illicit funds from the proceeds of the fraudulent sales of OPL 245.
The specific tail registration number of the aircraft was given as M-MYNA.
Chairman, Human Resource Development Centre (HEDA), Olanrewaju Suraju, Corner House Director, Nick Hildyard, Re:Common Director, Antonio Tricarico and Co-founder Global witness, Simon Taylor signed the joint petition sent from Italy to the acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, calling for the retrieval and forfeiture of the jet by the Nigerian authorities.
The four anti-corruption crusaders attended the Court proceedings in Milan, a statement made available to our correspondent indicated on Thursday.
The petitioners said their position was strengthened by findings from the on-going international corruption case taking place at the Milan, Italy Court.
The investigations focused on the sales of OPL245 to Eni and Shell even as it involves allegations of corruption linked with several serving and former company managers including Nigerian politicians.
Prosecutors in Milan were told by a former Federal Bureau of Investigation, (FBI) agent, Debra LaPrevotte and Ten. Col. Alessandro Ferri both involved in the investigations of the case, that 56 million USD of proceeds of corruption was used by Dan Etete for the purchase of a private jet in Oklahoma City, USA.
They said, “What we heard from testimony in the court, confirmed the information enclosed in a table produced by the FBI, and already disclosed as a public document in the court case, Crown vs Malabu Oil and Gas, which was held at Southwark Crown Court in London, UK; namely that proceeds of the OPL 245 deal were used to purchase a Bombardier Global 6000 private jet with the registration number M-MYNA”
It noted that the aircraft’s most recent flight, according to public aircraft tracking websites, was from Paris to Dubai airport on the 7th June 2017. The aircraft appears to have remained in Dubai since.
It said that there is therefore reason to believe that the jet is still in Dubai airport and could be frozen by competent authorities as possible proceeds of crime.
“We kindly urge you to verify this information and take appropriate steps, including asset freezing and forfeiture, where possible, under the 2018 Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between Nigeria and United Arab Emirate”.
