Faith-based organisation, Concerned Christian Youth Forum (CCYF), has dismissed reports alleging that the private aircraft which landed on a roadway in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta state, belongs to Dunamis International Gospel Centre.
The group described the claim as false and misleading, insisting that the church does not own the aircraft involved in the incident.
In a statement issued on Friday, CCYF said Dunamis International Gospel Centre had consistently maintained that it does not own a private jet, despite possessing the capacity to acquire one if necessary for its evangelical activities.
A source within the church also refuted the report, stressing that the aircraft is neither owned by nor registered in the name of the church.
“The church has never announced ownership of any aircraft. It is a lie. It is not registered in the name of Dunamis. Members donate to him to use when he wants to go for a special crusade. It is not owned by the church,” the source said.
Convener of the forum, James Adama, described the publication linking the aircraft to the church as a fabrication aimed at misleading the public and damaging the church’s reputation.
He warned that spreading false information capable of harming the reputation of individuals and organisations could attract legal consequences under Nigerian law.
Adama urged media organisations, bloggers and members of the public to verify information from official sources before publication, noting that the church reserves the right to seek legal redress against those responsible for disseminating false claims.
Meanwhile, investigations into the aircraft incident are continuing, with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirming that it has recovered the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and Flight Data Recorder (FDR) from the aircraft.
The bureau said the investigation would include analysis of the recovered recorders, examination of technical and operational documents, as well as interviews with relevant parties.
Aviation experts have also advised against speculation, urging the public to allow investigators conclude their work before drawing conclusions on the circumstances surrounding the incident.