On November 19, 2009, a Lagos–based air transport company, Caverton Helicopters, gleefully announced that it has buffered its onshore and offshore ability to operate more helicopter services.
In a story in ThisDay newspapers titled “Caverton Takes Delivery of New Aircraft,” the company was quoted as stated that it had also “taken delivery of several fixed wing aircraft committed to major operators in the oil and gas sector of the nation's economy.”
But investigations by Saharareporters revealed that the revamping of Caverton was not the product of hard work on the part of its owners. Instead, it resulted from a questionable, and possibly fraudulent, attempt to convert helicopters belonging to the Lagos State government into private commercial use – and for private corporate profit. Our investigations show that not only are the new aircraft over-priced, they may also not even be used in Lagos to the benefit of Lagosians.
In 2007, the Lagos State Security Trust Fund was established under the Lagos State Security Trust Fund Law 2007 enacted by the state assembly. The Trust Fund was established to raise money and equipment through voluntary subscriptions and donations from all interested government agencies, private organizations and individuals. The funds were then to be invested to take care of the security challenges of the entire state.
Reuben Abati, a columnist and chairman of the Guardian editorial board, is among the members of the board of the trust fund. 
In 2008, the audited account of the Trust fund disclosed that it had generated donations from banks and individuals, including N10 million from officials of the state government.
A source within the state government tipped off Saharareporters that Caverton was advertising Lagos State Trust Fund-owned helicopters meant for the Lagos state security as its own.
Caverton is owned by a businessman, Remi Makanjuola, who also doubles as the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Lagos Trust Fund. Several sources told us that the company is not as stellar as it is being portrayed in the latest promotional articles touting its supposed corporate success.
On the contrary, aviation sources knowledgeable about Caverton’s operations said the company has to its name only two functional helicopters, both of them old light utility helicopters, Eurocopter As-350B2. The sources revealed that none of these two helicopters is capable of going offshore. “They’re basically onshore utility machines,” said one of our sources. One of the two helicopters is yellow in color, while the second unit is navy blue. The yellow helicopter was manufactured in 1987 and the navy blue one was manufactured in 1989.
Further investigations revealed that between 2005 and 2009, Caverton brought five helicopters into Nigeria. The first helicopter was an old Agusta 109, which Mr. Makanjuola received as a gift from its suppliers in 2004 for brokering a deal in which the Nigeria Navy purchased several helicopters. “The Agusta helicopter suppliers made such a huge profit from the deal with the Nigeria Navy – which Makanjuola arranged – that they gave the man one unit of Agusta 109 helicopter, which became Caverton’s first helicopter,” said a naval officer familiar with the deal. The officer added that the suppliers had reason to show this amazing gesture of gratitude since Makanjuola had got them a transaction in which the suppliers made “one-of-a-kind-profit from the Nigeria Navy.”
However, Caverton sold the helicopter in 2007 when aviation experts advised the company that Agusta 109 helicopters are not viable as commercial service helicopters – and also largely because of its old age.
Caverton’s second helicopter was also an old 1978 Eurocopter AS-365, light blue in color. The helicopter then featured in a fraudulent deal with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). That deal, authorized by the former NPA chairman, Mr. Olabode George (currently serving a two-year jail term for corruption), provided that the helicopter was to be used to patrol Nigeria’s waterways. The contract fetched Caverton N12 million per day and was to run for several years. “It was a scam, pure and simple,” said a source in the NPA. “The so-called helicopter was not functional, but Chief Bode George made sure the company was paid for work that was never done.”
By mid-2008, when huge payments were still being made to Caverton ostensibly for “NPA/NIMASA inspection flights,” Caverton had quietly sold and shipped out the AS-365 helicopter with which the contract was secured. In effect, the company had no AS-365 helicopter anywhere in Nigeria, but the N12 million per day contract went on unhindered.
Caverton’s third helicopter was, like the second one, another very old 1981 model AS-365, red in color. It nearly killed the governor of Bayelsa state in 2007 when, flown for Caverton by one Captain John Omesili, the helicopter could not lift off over an electric pole due to weak engine output. In 2008, this helicopter was scrapped and shipped out of Nigeria.
Caverton’s fourth helicopter was a navy blue 1989 Eurocopter AS-350B2. One of the two helicopters currently operated by Caverton, the machine has been used in flying cash for banks around Port Harcourt as well as for VIP transportation around Lagos. The other functional Caverton helicopter is a 1987 yellow Eurocopter AS-350B2.
Our investigations further revealed that Caverton also owns a 1974 model Twin Hooter, fix-wing airplane – not a helicopter. It is an obsolete airplane that Caverton picked up when Aero Contractors discarded it in 2007.
Saharareporters investigations revealed that the Bell 412EP Caverton is advertising as its own is one of the two helicopters the Lagos State government purchased through the Lagos State Trust Fund to fight crime in the state.
In telephone calls made to a Florida–based company, Africair Inc., we discovered that the Lagos State Security Trust Fund had ordered two helicopters, which were supplied, shipped and re-assembled in Lagos. One of the helicopters is ready to fly while the second will be fully assembled early next week.
When Saharareporters reached the Africa rep. of Africair, Mr. Robert Prentice, in Nairobi, Kenya he confirmed to our reporter that his company had completed the supply of the helicopters to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. Prodded as to why Caverton is claiming ownership of the equipment, he admitted that the state has a deal with Caverton to operate the helicopters. A source told Saharareporters that the helicopters were purchased for $12 million each, but Mr. Prentice said the figure was exaggerated. He would not disclose the actual cost to Saharareporters.
Caverton helicopters are chartered at a cost of N7.5 million per day by customers in the Nigeria’s oil and gas industries as well as clients who use it for VIP transportation purposes.
A source within the Lagos State government said the company’s misleading advertising “was very disturbing.” He added, “I am also troubled that helicopters that have been bought from a trust fund, and for the purpose of combating crime in Lagos, are now said to be stationed in Warri and Port Harcourt.”
No official of the Lagos State government commented on record on this matter.
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ogusakin idowu
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... EFCC don't need any further prove to investigate these numerous and mind boggling fraud. NIMASA is on Buma Road Apapa; Caverton is at V.I and International Airport; Bode George is in Kirikiri and Lagos State Government is at Alausa Ikeja. If this crime is not investigated and the findings made public, a lot of us hanging tough believing that Nigeria will some day come out of its shackles, will give up that hope - because these allegations can easily be investigated, all the variables have been laid open. Glad we have SR |
kwum Ike
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... It doesn't sound like Lagos govt has nothing to hide in this matter. Why hasn't it come out to defend itself like it has always done it the past? I mean this huge allegation been out since the 21st and nothing heared from the govt up till now? |
Thomas Krukrubo UK
said:
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... I will just like to encourage restraint, before we start condenming Lagos State Govt have we been able to investigate further an provide concrete evidence as to what is happening. I will not be one of those that when they hear ole ole, they will just grab any implement in their hands and start to beat anybody within their reach like Zombie's. Please this does not provide any conclusive proof that lagos state is involved in this cacophony. Please could anyone of our Nigerian brothers and sisters go to Alausa and confirm or the offices of the contractors as these things are so easy to verify. |
Ahmed Bashir
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... DOnt stay silent, send emails and letters to EFCC. This corruption can only stop if they keep hearing our voices. info@efccnigeria.org Legal Unit 1 Ibrahim Taiwo Road Aso Rock Villa PMB 166 FCT Abuja |
ebonem ebokenu
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... At least the NIMASA contract N12 million charter contract, the papers are in NIMASA for the doubting Thomases. What I can now know is that once you trust a Nigerian politian and relaxes, he or she diappoints you. I remember Obasanjo's first few years; Dora's first few years; Soludo's first few years in office and so on. People should just watch and never trust any politician until there are out of office |
Tripple A
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... @GBN: Your comment sounds so plausible, but on the other hand, I have this strong suspicion that you are a PDP person. PDP people are the only ones who finds it so easy, (regardless of all the positive works on ground in Lagos state,) to doubt the genuineness and transparency of anything that has to do with Fashola and Tinubu. If you have any concrete proof, I mean incontrovertible evidence to support your bitter doubts and suspicion of these people, please "REPORT YOURSELF" like the motto of SR advises. |
Omokunle Alabi
said:
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... All you holier than thou people let's exercise restraint before soiling hard earned reputation without cause. Rule of natural justice demands that you hear from both sides before jumping to conclusion. I love the idea of SR as the catch a thief medium but let's be careful. I'll give Lagos State a benefit of doubt because of Fashola. On Caverton's competence-haba!! no be shoe making business be helicopter or airline business its highly regulated particularly aft the bellview and ADC plane crash. |
Tunde Bombata
said:
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... One Sir Were Blogger,H. Okoronkwo called Fashola Tinubu's 'Thief of Staff'!!! Are u from Lagos? na your money dem steal? are resident in lagos and blind to development going on? or is it willfull blindness. I know how well the Governors in the East are performing better than Fashola, so shut it. Let's try and encourage good people. Its a thankless job. Fashola should be commended and if there any whiff of corruption, investigate before draggin his name in the mud. |
Johnson, New York
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... My only regret is that I am a Nigerian and married Nigerian and my Childen are Nigerians. |
Sam Sam
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... SR a good report but like some one said laced with some Half truths there is so much stress on the Age of the Helicopters just to do some extra damage Understand that Age is not always and is rarely a factor in considering Airworthiness, that Aero discarded a Twin Otter and Caveton picked it up HABA!!!!!!!!!!!! SR careful here too .as to the truth Helicopter Operations is an expensive venture in Nigeria that you need to be contracted to the Oil company or do those Phantom ocean patrol that i must say is fraudulent AS365 Green goes for $10 million so charging 12 million Naira a day is an overkill unless they fly round the clock!! |
GBN
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... Kudos to SR for this investigative report. It is interesting the way some Nigerians jump to the defense of Fashola or Tinubu any time their names are mentioned in any untoward deals, as if they are saints! Which is why SR is so admired. They report happenings without fear or favour, no matter whose ox is gored. I shall reserve my comments on this matter until I hear from Caverton Helicopters. But Nigerians should stop this nonsense attitude of attempting to shield Fashola or Tinubu as if they are holier than thou! Abeg make we see road! These two gentlemen are Nigerian politicians! Period! And 99.9% of Nigerian politicians are corrupt full stop! Until they prove themselves innocent with incontrovertible evidence! So, these people should stop this nonsense of attempting to pull the wool over our eyes when it comes to matters concerning Fashola or Tinubu, for goodness sake! These guys are definitely not saints! Am certain of it! We are watching! |
Ese Otaks
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... "Behind every great fortune there is a crime" - A quote from Mario Puzo's godfather. When you see these Nigerians living in super affluence and you are struggling to balance your budget every month, you should take a second look at the source of wealth.These guys are not whiz kids but simply crooks. The most crippling factor in our development, provision of basic social services, and employment is the looting of our resources through all kinds of schemes. There are several similar activities in our system. Mostly with the federal government parastatls. |
Jacko
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... I have always thought that the stories on this website are true...but this one is laced with some half truths and outright falsehood. What I see here is someone's campaign of calumny against Caverton. Bob Evans, mentioned in the report left the Company under a cloud and joined Bristow (he is now retired). It's easy to guess where the reporter got this twisted story from. Until SR can print a rejoinder from Caverton, I'll hold my suspicion that this ia falsehood. |
akpuruka
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... Olu freddie is also a cert forger. That Tinubu works in Mobil without detection mean that he did not forge certificate?. put on your thinking cap. if and when you are a perfect forger, it will be difficult for anybody to detect you out 'cos you will forge with smartness. on the current matter, i wish the real story will come out as soon as this is read by those concern. We are waiting for details. |
ADEBANJO OJEDAPO
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... Sahara!!! I know for a fact that Caverton is currently contracted to NLNG and they couldnt have gotten that kind of contract if Caverton is as incompetent as the report portrayed them to be. Shell is a part of NLNG and would not put the lives of its employees in the hands of technical neophytes company.Shell has a stringent audit system. Lets check the facts of this report. |
babatunde bello
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... I would be surprised if Lagos State Government entered into any dodgy deal of the kind stated in the report.I think the report is not Balanced-Nothing from caverton's end. Caverton where are you?. |
Query
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... Please, there is need for SR to get response from the Lagos State Government, as well as Caverton, so that the report would be balanced and eliminate any tinge of sensationalism! |
7point agenda {frankfurt city}
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... Fasholas name on the spotlight for a very wrong reason...when i visited lagos i was satisfied with his job so far, plz Gov look into this pressing issue b4 ur name will be dragged in the mud by selfish n greedy individuals.good name is better anything money can buy.... |
Emaka K Duru
said:
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... This is the only investigative Newspaper onlineb or not,that Nigeria has;bold and authoritative.Do not compromise your vision,however,in the past,you have allowed passion to question objectivity.Say it how it is but choose your words carefully.Onward and ever!!!! |
Apostle
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... Oh what a rotten generation of vipers; worse than Sodom; worse than Nineveh; Oh Lord GOD of the Universe, please visit your judgement on this nation if not for the sake of those who have not knelt down for 'BAAL' (herein, Satanic Corruption)but for the sake of JESUS CHRIST and your RIGHTEOUSNESS as the only one that is JUST. Amen! |
Olu Freddie
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... Mr Futurengine or what do you call yourself, it's better at times not to be mixing politics with a serious matter like this,what has helicopters deal got to do with Tinubu's certificate.People like you are known (Confusionist), if the article is about certificates now you will be shouting about helicopter deal(frustration), As long as l,m not holding brief for Tinubu, This certificate thing has been explained and sensible people are cleared about the explanation, and for the fact that he was working for Mobil on a managment level before joining politics speaks volume of his Academics background having work with mobil myself, you are even talking about his high school certificate, maybe he was using his primary 6 certificate with Mobil (Clown), Go and get busy before you start sounding like BG love child. |
Tubosun Kessington
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... Sahara!! Dont lose the credibility you enjoy!!! Did you ask for Caverton's side of the story??? Caverton to my knowledge is the only wholly owned indigeneous helicopter company in Nigeria and they are currently making inroads into the restrictive offshore oil exploration market and these guys (bristow, aero, afric)are fighting back. I am not saying that the story is true or false but i smell a rat since u never bother to ask for their side of the story. |
MG
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... Thank you again Sahara Reporters. This is another sickening example of corruption that continues to damage the image of Nigeria. I hope our honorable governor Fashola of Lagos state will step in and stop this corrupt practice from tarnishing the image of the state. |
Lota Ebunike
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... I am shocked and disgusted at this apparent looting of our resources. People like the Makanjuolas who parade themselves as good businessmen are simply con men par excellence. They do nothing creative except use their connections to dupe the country and rape our resources. They are no better than the Bode Georges, James Iboris of the world. It is amazing how low our country now has reached. I support the new CBN governor when he says that most of these types of people really need to be lined up and shot. I am really tired of all of this. I am fed up and really upset. |
futurengr
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... Another Tinubu fraud legacy revealed..we are getting closer. Hang on a minute SR what about the Tinubu Chicagogate scandle atleast he his ot of now. As a qucik reminder b4 his praise singer start talking rubbish here,Tinubu was enmeshed in certificate scandal as questions were raised about his secondary school and University Certificates most stridently by the late legal icon, Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi (SAN) who followed the matter through to the Supreme Court. The apex court held in the matter that Tinubu, as (at then) a sitting governor, enjoyed immunity from prosecution but that the Police could proceed against him after he left office. Over two years after he left office, Tinubu who claimed to have attended the Government College, Ibadan and the University of Chicago, he is yet to be called to answer for the anomalies pointed out in his record by the late Fawehinmi. Can we now start asking questions???? |
