The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been urged to intensify its efforts in combating financial crimes within the aviation sector.
Captain Chris Najomo, the Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) made the appeal during a courtesy visit with his management team to EFCC Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede at the commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
The EFCC announced the visit’s agenda in a statement on its Twitter account.
Najomo stated that fraudulent activities in aviation are increasing, posing a threat to safety oversight and operational transparency.
He highlighted several high-value transactions that are particularly vulnerable to fraud and money laundering, such as aircraft purchases, leasing arrangements, foreign maintenance contracts, and the 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,” Najomo said.
Najomo also flagged illegal charter operations, often disguised as private flights, which involve unregulated financial flows.
He highlighted 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 sensitization workshops, and sharing intelligence to enhance oversight.
On his part, 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.
Persecondnews recalls that there have been cases of fraud in the aviation sector.
In August, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, had narrated how his company suffered a $2 million loss to a Tunisia-based leasing company.
The EFCC had in July 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.
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