A NIGERIAN billionaire’s use of Namibia’s presidential airport terminal has triggered a high-level investigation into alleged bribery and protocol breaches.
The authorities have identified Benedict Peters as a person of interest in a case involving bribery and the unauthorised use of the country’s presidential airport terminal.
The terminal is also referred to as the ‘VIP Lounge’ or ‘Terminal One’.
The presidential terminal is reserved for the use of Namibia’s president, vice president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, speaker, members of parliament, the judiciary and Cabinet ministers.
Diplomats and foreign dignitaries visiting the above offices also have access to the terminal.
‘Terminal One’ is run by both the Presidency and the Ministry of International Relations and Trade.
Also pinpointed in the saga alongside the Nigerian oil businessman is medical supplies tender magnate Shapwa Kanyama, who appears to be Peters’ business associate.
Government sources also identify state chief of protocol Leonard Iipumbu as one of Peters’ close associates in Namibia. Iipumbu has not responded to questions about his relationship with Peters. A senior government official familiar with the investigation has likened the case to the South African 2013 Waterkloof scandal, during which the controversial Gupta family was able to land an aircraft at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in South Africa. The plane was carrying guests from India attending a Gupta wedding at Sun City. Foreign civilians landing at a military base was considered a national security breach. The Indian guests of the Gupta family were seemingly considered too important to brave OR Tambo International Airport’s long queues and processes. Government officials were accused of allowing the breach because the Gupta family was closely associated with then president Jacob Zuma.
THE INVESTOR
The Issue’s investigations have established that Peters surfaced in Namibia around 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. He usually arrives with his private jet and is believed to have interests in the local mining sector.
Government sources briefed about his activities in Namibia say he has attempted to acquire an office block in Klein Windhoek for N$20 million, and is believed to be building a mansion worth over N$10 million on the outskirts of Windhoek.
When in Windhoek he stays at the Windhoek Country Club Resort. He travels in a conspicuous convoy of about eight black high-end vehicles, with an estimated combined value of N$12 million.
Government sources say Kanyama appears to be in charge of arrangements and logistics when Peters visits Namibia.
When the investor of note is in the country, business people and government officials appear to be lining up to get an audience with him. Many are not so lucky and he allegedly only speaks to Namibian decision-makers.
The Issue has reliably learnt that the billionaire has refused to meet with senior ministry of mines officials, allegedly demanding that he only wants to speak to the person who makes the final decisions. He appears to have been referring to the minister.
Everyone wants a piece of Peters. The Issue understands that Peters, despite being surrounded by a security outfit, almost fell prey to a scammer who impersonated police officials last November during his most recent visit to Namibia.
During this visit, he allegedly used normal airport channels. This may have been due to expecting an investigation and a possible sting operation.
Peters allegedly declared at customs that he was bringing US$200 000 (about N$4 million) in cash into the country. Sources believe this declaration may have turned him into a target.
Two days later, upon leaving the country, the tycoon allegedly declared that he had spent all of that money. This allegedly included ‘tipping’ airport officials.
INVESTIGATIONS
National police spokesperson deputy commissioner Kauna Shikwambi has confirmed to The Issue that police are investigating allegations that a foreign businessman has been using the presidential VIP terminal and lounge at Hosea Kutako International Airport.
The investigation includes allegations that the said businessman has been bribing officials at the airport. The case was brought to the police’s attention by the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) towards the end of last year.
The NAC has, however, refused to comment or disclose information. “We implore your esteemed office to engage with the appropriate authority attending to the matter in question,” spokesperson Dan Kamati said yesterday.
Shikwambi says a police case has been registered and that investigations are aimed at identifying the officials involved. This in a quest to find out who has authorised the use of the presidential lounge by a foreign businessman.
“This is after officers and officials, including some civilian officials at Hosea Kutako International Airport, allegedly received cash amounts to facilitate the smooth entry of a foreign national into the country, thereby avoiding proper security screening at the airport,” Shikwambi has told The Issue. The police spokesperson says investigations are specifically focused on events at the airport between 16 October and 4 November 2024. She says investigations into the matter continue and the case docket will be submitted to the prosecutor general’s office for a decision once investigations have been completed. The police are also calling on the public to assist with the case by providing information to the head of the Police Conduct Investigation Directorate.
AT THE AIRPORT
Although Peters has been coming to Namibia since 2020, the authorities only started zooming in on him after his October and November visits last year. This comes after the NAC notified the police of unusual movements and allegations that Peters has been bribing officials to make use of the airport’s presidential VIP terminal. This meant he would enter the country without being screened or searched, while immigration officials would stamp his passport at ‘Terminal One’. Government officials briefed on the case say at least eight police officers at the airport are under investigation, along with three immigration officials, three state protocol officials, eight Paragon Aviation Group ground handling employees, and an unspecified number of NAC and customs officials. Although Shikwambi says the values of the alleged bribes are not yet known, The Issue has learnt that approximately N$100 000 in suspected bribe money exchanged hands at the airport during Peters’ two visits between October and November last year. Those in the know have told The Issue that Peters arrived with an entourage of eight people believed to be his aides and bodyguards during the October visit. They came through ‘Terminal One’ and were not searched or subjected to any customs screening, while police and immigration officials were allegedly seen carrying the bigwig’s baggage into the presidential terminal. Kanyama was allegedly there to receive the ‘special’ visitors. The Issue understands it was on this day that a whistleblower at the airport notified the NAC’s higher-ups that something was amiss and that police and other officials at the airport received ‘envelopes’.
‘WHAT BREACH?’
Despite police investigations, the Ministry of International Relations and Trade maintains there was no breach. Executive director of international relations and trade Penda Naanda has since December stuck to this view. “My office is not investigating any breach of protocol as there was no breach in the usage of the VIP lounge at Hosea Kutako International Airport,” he told The Issue in December. He said the use of the terminal could be expanded to accommodate dignitaries of various statuses, based on what the government decides. Naanda said the government does, in fact, grant other individuals permission to use the terminal. This depends on the individual’s request and a security assessment of the person. “Benedict Peters is a holder of a diplomatic passport, and visits Namibia as a business personality on an occasional basis, having business interests in the country,” Naanda told The Issue. “You know the limited capacity we have at our airport, and we want to make our visitors feel welcomed to Namibia, the same way our dignitaries are received when visiting countries abroad,” he said. He insisted that the security of the president would not be compromised. Naanda this week maintained that his ministry’s position on the alleged breach has not changed.
Paragon Aviation owner Desmond Amunyela on Thursday distanced his company from any illegal activities at the airport. The company has been contracted to manage the airport’s ground operations. Amunyela said if Paragon employees were caught in a web of illegal activities, they have been doing so in their own capacity. He referred questions to the police and the NAC as the entities responsible for airport security.
Questions sent to Peters were not responded to by the time of publication.
Kanyama this week insisted there is no truth in the allegations against him or Peters.
“There is no way he would use the terminal without authorisation,” he said.
Kanyama said Peters tipping airport officials handling his baggage does not translate to bribery. He added that he has not been notified of any police investigations, nor has he been questioned or interviewed by the police regarding these allegations.
