CAN to reps panel: Probe into Living Faith’s airstrip licence must be transparent, impartial 

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has asked the house of representatives committees on aviation and legislative compliance to conduct a transparent investigation into the airstrip licence granted to Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel.

In October, Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, approved an airstrip for the Living Faith church. The runway is situated in Otta, Ogun state.

Days following the approval, the lower legislative chamber asked the aviation ministry to stop the issuance of airstrip licences to private individuals and organisations — and to withdraw approvals already granted.

The resolution was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Sulaiman Abubakar, a lawmaker representing the Gummi/Bukkuyum federal constituency of Zamfara state.

Moving the motion, Abubakar said granting airstrips to private individuals and organisations “will aid illegal importation of firearms and hard drugs into the country, thus heightening insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, and other vices that are seriously affecting the socio-economic development of the country”.

Abubakar cited a 2014 report of an aircraft — containing money and weapons — that was arrested in South Africa after taking off from Nigeria.

Keyamo subsequently faulted the house’s resolution, saying Abubakar’s motion was “based on a complete lack of knowledge of the aviation sector”.

The minister said the responsibility of the owners of private airstrips is to build the runway and terminal building but that after the control tower is built, “it is completely handed over” to the federal government through the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) which is in “complete control of the entire airspace in Nigeria”.

‘PROBE MUST BE IMPARTIAL’

In a statement issued on Saturday, Daniel Okoh, CAN president, said the church adhered to “all regulatory procedures” in securing a licence for the airstrip.

“As the House Committees on Aviation and Legislative Compliance undertake their investigation, it is imperative that this process remains transparent and impartial,” the statement reads.

”To prematurely associate the church with potential illegal activities, without substantive evidence, risks undermining the integrity of both religious institutions and regulatory bodies. The church stands firm on its commitment to legality and transparency.

“We urge the lawmakers to consider the broader implications of their actions and rhetoric, ensuring that religious undertones do not cloud objective judgement. The church has always been a stronghold for peace, development, and community service.”

Okoh said revoking the church’s airstrip licence without substantial evidence could “unjustly undermine the rights of religious organisations and set a troubling precedent for future cases”.

“Demonising its efforts without just cause does a disservice not only to the church but to the principles of justice and fairness that bind our nation,” the CAN president said.

“As we await the outcome of the investigation, we call on all stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation. Let this be an opportunity to strengthen, rather than fracture, the trust between religious communities and the state.”

Okoh said CAN will support measures that enhance national security while upholding the rights and freedoms of religious institutions.