AMCON takes custody of another airline, OAS Helicopters

Emerging reports indicate that another airline, OAS Helicopters, may have fallen into the custody of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

Signs that the airline had gone the way of Arik Air emerged Tuesday when officials of AMCON left an order at the premises of OAS Helicopters which read, “, “Possession taken today 14/2/17 by AMCON by court order in suit NO. FHC/4CS/1139/2016.”

The order was granted by Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court, Lagos.

OAS Helicopters is operated by Odengene Air Shuttle Services Limited, and details of their indebtedness to AMCON is yet to be made public. The company is owned by Everest Nnaji who, in 2014, was arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged $7.9m scam.

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Speaking on the development, Head of Corporate Communications, AMCON, Jude Nwauzor said, “AMCON has increased the tempo of its recovery activities using firmer negotiation strategies as well as utilising the special enforcement powers vested by the AMCON Act to compel some of its recalcitrant debtors and business heavyweights to repay their debts.”

Nigeria’s aviation sector quaked last week when AMCON took over the operations of one of the country’s largest operators, Arik Air. The airline is alleged to be owing about N300 billion but this has been disputed with the former management promising to pursue AMCON’s seizure of its assets at the courts.

Before Arik, AMCON had also intervened in the operations of the once-thriving airline, Aero Contractors.

 

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