Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intensify action against fraudulent practices and economic crimes in the aviation sector.
Gatekeepers News reports that the appeal was made 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. Details of the meeting were shared in a statement on the EFCC’s official X handle.
Najomo expressed concern over fraudulent practices undermining safety oversight and transparency in the industry. He highlighted areas prone to abuse, including aircraft acquisitions, leasing agreements, 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,” Najomo said.
He further alleged that some operators engage in revenue under-reporting, ticketing manipulation, and diversion of funds, all of which erode the NCAA’s regulatory capacity. Najomo also pointed to illegal charter operations disguised as private flights, stressing the need for EFCC’s financial intelligence to unmask such schemes.
As part of the solution, he proposed joint initiatives such as staff training to detect financial red flags, sensitisation workshops, and intelligence sharing to strengthen oversight.
In response, EFCC Chairman Olukoyede welcomed the partnership, announcing that senior officers from both agencies would work to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering 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 until we achieve the desired results,” Olukoyede said.
