Firm to EFCC: Stop intimidating agent authorised to tear down Arik’s former aircraft

Merchant Express Cargo Limited, a contract agent of the Alberta Aviation Capital Corporation, Canada (AAC), says recent reports that led to the arrest of one Samuel Caulcrick, allegedly sponsored by Arumemi-Johnson, Arik Air founder; were “wrongly painted”.

On Saturday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reportedly detained Omokide Kamilu, the receiver manager for Arik Air and Caulcrick over the alleged illegal sale and tearing down of a $41 million CRJ 1000 aircraft, which was operated by Arik Air.

TheCable had reported that the commission’s investigation followed a petition by Femi Falana human rights lawyer, who is a solicitor to Arik Nigeria Limited, and instigated by Johnson.

Debunking the reports in a statement on Tuesday, Merchant Express accused Johnson and his lawyers of mischievously and wrongly painting Caulcrick — one of the agents of AAC — as a fraud for legally executing the instructions of his clients.

According to the statement, Caulcrick was jointly appointed with Merchant Express by AAC to “tear down the CRJ1000 with MSN 19037”, which legally belongs to them 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 Leasing (the leasor/owner)”.

“Therefore, the press statement issued to the Nigerian media some few weeks ago did not emanate from JEM Leasing,” Merchant Cargo said.

“The defaults in Arik Air’s obligations led to the de-registration of the aircraft by the 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.

“Until contracted on the teardown project, neither Merchant Express nor Capt. Caulcrick had anything to do with the cancelled lease or the de-registration of the aircraft by the NCAA.

“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) to stop the owners from taking their aircraft in whatever form they choose back to Canada.”

AAC CONFIRMS AUTHORISATION OF MERCHANT EXPRESS ON AIRCRAFT TEARDOWN

On June 17, the EDC confirmed its interest as the mortgagee, as well as the sale of the aircraft by JEM Leasing, the owner.

EDC is a crown corporation, wholly owned by the government of Canada.

In a letter seen by TheCable dated May 22, 2023, and addressed to Arik Air; the AAC said it authorised the handover of the aircraft to the company for dismemberment.

“Accept this letter as authorisation from Alberta Aviation Capital Corporation that the aircraft bearing MSN 19037 is to be released and handed over to Merchant Express Cargo Airlines Limited in order to complete the teardown of the aircraft, shipment, and transport of the parts, engines, and any other and all components; and disposal of the remainder of the aircraft.

“Further, this handover release and teardown authorisation shall be for Shina Akinfenwa, Samuel Caulcrick, and their team as they authorise and direct.”