The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to strengthen its efforts in combating economic and financial crimes within the aviation industry.
The appeal was made during a courtesy visit by NCAA Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, and his management team to EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
EFCC disclosed the agenda of the visit in a statement posted on its X handle on Tuesday.
Najomo noted the growing threat of fraudulent activities in the aviation sector, which he said pose serious risks to safety oversight and operational transparency.
He identified areas of high-value transactions vulnerable to fraud and money laundering, including aircraft purchases, leasing arrangements, foreign maintenance contracts, and procurement of safety infrastructure.
“Non-remittance weakens the NCAA’s ability to fund safety oversight and operational efficiency and may require EFCC’s intervention to investigate cases where deliberate withholding, diversion or misappropriation of these funds is suspected.
“Some operators deliberately under-report revenues, manipulate ticketing systems or divert funds, thereby sabotaging the NCAA’s ability to regulate effectively. In such cases, EFCC’s intervention is necessary,” Captain Najomo said.
Najomo also flagged illegal charter operations, often disguised as private flights, which involve unregulated financial flows.
He emphasised the need for EFCC’s financial intelligence capabilities to uncover such activities.
On possible solutions, Najomo proposed joint initiatives, including training NCAA staff to detect financial red flags, organising sensitisation workshops, and sharing intelligence to enhance oversight.
The statement said the EFCC boss expressed the Commission’s willingness to delve more into the aviation sector.
He disclosed that the EFCC will designate senior officers to work with the NCAA in finalising an MoU on joint investigations, intelligence exchange, and compliance monitoring.
“With the kind of work you do, when people see us beside you, they will take you seriously. Aviation is an area where we have seen money laundering, particularly through chartered services.
“That is why we have been reaching out to you, and we will continue to do so until we achieve the desired results,” Olukoyede said.
PUNCH Online reports that there have been cases of fraud in the aviation sector.
Last month, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, narrated how his company suffered a $2m loss to a Tunisia-based leasing company.
In July, EFCC alerted Nigerians to a new scam involving fake airline ticket promos used by fraudsters to steal personal information and siphon money from victims’ bank accounts.
