Freetown — A Nigerian business tycoon has strongly protested to President Ernest Bai Koroma following what he referred to as "speculations and misconceptions" by certain individuals about the activities of Nigerian businessmen in the country, making particular reference to the unannounced landing of his D-HAXR helicopter at the Choithram Hospital on Tuesday August 17.

Rumours at the time were that the helicopter was carrying cocaine but which later turned out to be false.

Chief Tony Chinyere, who was speaking Friday during an interactive session organized by the Nigerian Union in Freetown, described the rumours as misguided with the aim of discrediting Nigerian nationals living in the country. The meeting also sought to clarify certain developments within the Nigerian community over the past two months, ranging from the saga between journalists and the former managing director of ZENIT bank, UBA, and the landing of Chief Tony's helicopter at Choithram Hospital in Freetown.

According to the business tycoon, the gap in communication was responsible for the wrong information being bandied around town about the landing of the helicopter. "People were allowed to speculate about the landing of the helicopter," he said.

"When we talk about air transport in Sierra Leone I am the brain behind it. During the war it was my helicopter that transported the authorities to rebel-held territories to negotiate for peace. Also during the electioneering period, my helicopter flew with the current president to several areas across the country; I have won awards even from the military and the government of Sierra Leone for my patriotic contributions towards the development of this country. However, despite all these efforts people always try to unfairly rope me in whenever there is problem," he said.

"For instance, during the 2007 elections I was in London when people were complaining that I was transporting ballot papers. Also, there was an incident when a security officer shot dead a thief and it was alleged that I had removed parts from his body. With this recent rumour about the helicopter, some claimed it was carrying cocaine. I am some times frightened because we live in a gullible society where people take things for granted. I had to make a formal complaint to the President about these developments."

Chief Tony added that Sierra Leone and Nigeria had developed strong ties over the years and that all efforts should be made to maintain those good relations.

President of the Nigerian Union in Sierra Leone, Abel Onomake said their membership had faced series of challenges but had always tried to manage the situation.

He said it was unfortunate that the former managing director of ZENIT Bank behaved they way she did, much to the chagrin of the union.

"We want to officially apologize for whatever might have happened over the past months. Nigerians and Sierra Leoneans are one and the same people," Onomake said, adding that Sierra Leoneans should consider Nigerians as their brothers and sisters.