Rivers State Government has said no laws were broken when it acquired the Bombardier 700 aircraft for its official usage.
Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, in a statement described as “both preposterous and embarrassing” claims made by Mrs. Stella Oduah, Minister of Aviation, that the Rivers State Government has used forged documents in laying claims to the aircraft, adding that it was “a deliberate distortion of facts.”
The Honourable Commissioner however, added that despite the travail of the state government in the hands of those it had done business with, it “will continue to engage with aviation officials and follow through with all administrative requirements and processes as is most appropriate.”
In an application by Caverton Helicopter to the Honourable Minister of Aviation dated 27th August, signed by one Adeniyi Makanjuola, Executive Vice Chairman, it stated that it was seeking the minister’s approval to “import and operate for private use BOMBARDIER BD-700-1A11(Global Vision) Aircraft.” Caverton further stated that it would operate the aircraft “on behalf of (RIVER(sic) STATE GOVERNMENT) our client.”
The document showed that the Honourable Minister received the application on the 4th of September, 2012 at 2.35pm. But in her press briefing, Mrs. Oduah had claimed that Caverton Helicopters had denied in writing relationship with the aircraft.
The full statement reads:
“The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to allegations of forged documentation and impropriety by aviation officials as it concerns the Rivers State Government owned aircraft. While the Rivers State Government will not want to join issues with the Minister of Aviation, we would like to make the following clarifications
(1) No aircraft can fly into Nigerian airspace illegally and land at various airports within the county unchallenged. The Rivers state Government owned aircraft has been in operation since October 2012
(2) The allegation that a state government would “use the name of Caverton Helicopters to obtain various clearances for seven months running is both preposterous and embarrassing. 

(3) The claim that the aircraft insured is owned by ACASS CANADA LIMITED” of 6700 Cote de Liesse, Suite 206,Montreal, QC H4T 2B5, Canada is a deliberate distortion of facts. An insurance issued to ACASS was used for entry into service while flying between Canada and the USA for pre-delivery tests. Rivers State Government took delivery on 5th October, 2012 and duly insured the Aircraft and the certificate of insurance duly states this.
See Documents