The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to step up its fight against fraud, diversion of funds, and money laundering within the aviation industry.
The call was made on Tuesday when NCAA Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, led his management team on a courtesy visit to EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Najomo, in a statement shared on the EFCC’s official X handle, warned that fraudulent practices were undermining safety oversight and operational transparency in the sector.
He highlighted transactions most prone to abuse — including aircraft purchases, leasing agreements, foreign maintenance contracts, and procurement of safety infrastructure.
According to him, some operators deliberately under-report revenues, manipulate ticketing systems, divert funds, or operate illegal charters disguised as private flights, creating unregulated financial flows.
“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.
To curb the menace, he proposed joint initiatives such as training NCAA staff to detect financial red flags, organising sensitisation workshops, and sharing intelligence to improve compliance.
In his response, EFCC Chairman Olukoyede pledged full collaboration, disclosing that both agencies would soon finalise a Memorandum of Understanding on joint investigations, intelligence exchange, and monitoring.
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“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 assured.
