The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intensify efforts against fraud and economic crimes within the aviation industry.
This appeal came during a meeting on Tuesday when NCAA Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo, led his management team on a courtesy visit to EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement shared on the EFCC’s official X handle, Najomo highlighted concerns about fraudulent activities that threaten safety oversight and transparency in the aviation sector.
He pointed out that high-value transactions such as aircraft purchases, leasing, foreign maintenance contracts, and procurement of safety infrastructure are particularly vulnerable to abuse.
Najomo emphasized that the non-remittance of funds weakens the NCAA’s ability to effectively oversee safety operations, urging EFCC to investigate cases involving suspected misappropriation or diversion of funds.
He also accused some operators of under-reporting revenues, manipulating ticketing systems, and conducting illegal charter flights disguised as private operations actions that undermine regulatory efforts.
To combat these issues, Najomo proposed collaboration initiatives including training NCAA staff to detect financial irregularities, organizing awareness workshops, and sharing intelligence with the EFCC to enhance oversight.
Responding positively, EFCC Chairman Olukoyede affirmed the commission’s commitment to partnering with NCAA.
He announced that senior EFCC officials would work closely with the NCAA to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding focused on joint investigations, intelligence sharing, and compliance monitoring.
“Aviation is an area vulnerable to money laundering, especially through chartered services. Our collaboration is crucial to addressing this challenge,” Olukoyede stated.
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