Dispute over Arik Air’s CRJ1000 deepens

There is no end in sight to the controversy over the sale of Arik Air CRJ1000 aircraft alleged by the founder of the airline, Sir. Arumemi-Johnson.

One of the Canadian firms involved in the tear down of the aircraft, Merchant Express Cargo yesterday expressed displeasure over the report accusing one of the agents of the Canadian owners of the aircraft, Alberta Aviation Capital Corporation, Canada (AAC) as a fraud for legally carrying out the instructions of his clients.

Daily Trust reports that Arik Air founder had petitioned the EFCC over the tear down of the CRJ1000 aircraft by the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) managing the airline under receivership.

However, the aircraft lessor, JEM Leasing Limited and financier, the Export Development Canada (EDC), a Crown Corporation, wholly owned by the government of Canada had clarified that the aircraft was sold with his knowledge.

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But Merchant Express Cargo yesterday said the process for the recovery of the aircraft followed due process.

It said Capt. Caulcrick was jointly appointed with Merchant Express Cargo Limited by AAC to tear down the CRJ1000 with MSN 19037, which legally belongs to them, the new owners, after the cancellation of the lease agreement with Arik Air, the previous operator, due to many substantial and continued defaults in making outstanding payments to JEM (the Lessor/Owner).

The Canadian firm said, “The defaults in Arik Air’s obligations led to the de-registration of the aircraft by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) from the NCAA’s registry, July 22, 2022 – consent by the lien holder – the Export Development Canada (EDC), and ownership reverted to EDC the mortgagee. The aircraft currently has a Canadian registry allocation.

“We categorically state that Capt Caulcrick was an authorised agent of the new Canadian owners (AAC) of the aircraft and the process for the recovery of the aircraft followed all due process, all of which are properly documented.”

 “We condemn in its entirety the efforts by the founder of Arik Air, Sir Arumem-Johnson, whose airline is under receivership, and his lawyers, to use the EFCC and some sections of the press to intimidate the authorised agents of the legal owners of aircraft (AAC) in an effort to stop the owners from taking their aircraft in whatever form they choose back to Canada.”