Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal was defrauded out of a $6.3 million private jet by a pair of aviation business executives in Lagos.
According to an exclusive report by People Gazette, the governor, previously a banker at First Bank of Nigeria Plc, bought the jet and registered it under the names of the couple running a jet-leasing firm at Murtala Muhammad International Airport.
Documents and sources reveal that Mr. Lawal remained silent about the scam to avoid raising suspicions about the origins of the $6.3 million used for the jet purchase.
After the couple’s relationship deteriorated, the husband, Ovi Osazele, transferred the jet’s ownership to himself and fled to the United States, leaving Mr. Lawal in a difficult position.
The governor and his representatives did not respond to requests for comments.
Ms. Osazele, now in Canada, alleged that her ex-husband tried to kill her over their dispute regarding the jet, claims that were rejected by Canadian asylum officers for inconsistencies.
Sources close to Mr. Lawal stated that the jet was never returned and that the governor is still trying to locate the couple.
Mr Lawal, previously linked to Diezani Allison-Madueke’s money-laundering scandal, denies any wrongdoing and maintains that his relationship with her was strictly professional.
He resigned from First Bank and was elected governor of Zamfara in 2023 amid accusations of money laundering, which he continues to deny.
