According to a report by Encomium magazine, former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sherriff has toppled Bishop David Oyedepo as the owner of the largest fleet of private jets in Nigeria with the acquisition of a new jet valued at N11.5 billion.
Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has topped the chart of top 10 private jet owners in Nigeria with the acquisition of a brand new Gulfstream G650 model worth about $72 million (N11.5 billion).
It has been revealed that it’s the most expensive private jet among wealthy Nigerians who are privileged to have these expensive toys. The latest acquisition brings to four planes in his fleet.
It was gathered that the aircraft, which was registered in Dubai with special specifications, is the fourth in his fleet, as the former governor already has three old Dornier aircraft which he acquired from Aero Contractors at an estimated $3 million (N480 million).
According to a source, a Dornier aircraft is used for charter services as Sheriff recently obtained an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for his airline, Skybird. But a source said the Gulfstream was acquired for Sheriff’s personal use.
An operator who is aware of the purchase described the aircraft as top of the range, adding that it was unlikely that the former governor would deploy it for commercial service.
A Nigerian pilot and chief executive officer of an airline that provides charter services, said by registering the aircraft overseas, Sheriff had denied Nigeria taxes and import duty on the aircraft.
He added that no Nigerian pilot or engineer would be employed to operate or work on the aircraft because with the foreign registration, only pilots and engineers licensed in the United Arab Emirates would be authorised to operate and service the aircraft.
The source also explained that Sheriff would also be paying overseas facility managers for the maintenance of the aircraft and would also pay charges to the company under which the aircraft was registered overseas.
The main price of the aircraft is $65 million but other charges could have raised it to $72 million, and according to US-based Forbes magazine, the Gulfstream G650 has an order book of 200 customers throughout the world.
“Because of its superlatives, including price, however, it also appeals greatly to the ‘if you’ve got it, flaunt it’ crowd,” Forbes said on its Brand Voice website.
Gulfstream described the aircraft as ultra-high-speed, ultra-long-range business jet and the gold standard in business aviation.
The model was introduced in 2008 with a capacity for eight passengers and a crew of four on nonstop legs of 7,000 nautical miles (12,964 km) for standard configuration.
“That means it will link Dubai with New York and London with Buenos Aires. With its powerful Rolls-Royce BR725 engines, the G650 will cover shorter distances at a speed of Mach 0.925. No traditional business jet will take you closer to the speed of sound,” Gulfstream said on its website.
The Gulfstream G650 was formally launched as an internal company project in May 2005, and publicly unveiled on March 13, 2008. At the public announcement occasion, company executives stated the new model would become Gulfstream’s largest, fastest and most expensive business jet on entry to the market.#bigtinz
The former governor, who is also the chairman of opposition All Progressives Congress, APC. Board of Trustees hides in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, because Boko Haram boys want his head.
.........If you got it fluant it abi?
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