The management of Caverton Helicopters has appealed to the government of Rivers State to order the release its pilots who have been remanded in Port Harcourt prison till May 19 for reasons “we do not understand.”
In a statement made available to NewsGazette, the helicopter firm said at the start of the COVID -19 lockdown, it received a letter from its clients that they were given approval/ exemption to fly and continue operations.
It further stated that “we, Caverton along with three other companies also received approval from the minister of aviation to fly only essential services, mainly in the oil and gas industry.”
Besides, it said it got another approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to fly for the same oil and gas sector.
“We have been flying along these guidelines for the past seven days.
“Today (yesterday), we were informed that the governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike was coming to address the operators in Port Harcourt and our people waited.
“But on arriving, the governor directed two of our pilots to be taken to CID where they were told to write statements.
“Despite all pleas by our lawyers who showed all the relevant documents, they were taken to the magistrate court and charged.
“At the court, our lawyers also presented all the documentations approving us to fly by the federal government but the case was closed and the pilots have been remanded in Port Harcourt prison till the 19th May.
“We appeal to the federal government to urge the Rivers State government to release our pilots who violated no law and are being unduly punished for reasons we still do not understand.”
