NCAA DG has flagged the rising fraud in the Aviation Industry and called for EFCC intervention.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo, has raised serious concerns over increasing fraudulent activities within Nigeria’s aviation sector, warning that such practices undermine aviation safety, economic regulation, and investor confidence.
Speaking during a courtesy visit with his management team to the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Najomo urged the Commission to intervene in curbing fraudulent practices affecting the industry.
The NCAA DG highlighted high-value transactions, including aircraft purchases, leasing agreements, foreign maintenance contracts, and procurement of safety infrastructure, as key areas susceptible to fraud and money laundering.
He also expressed concern over some commercial airlines failing to remit the mandatory five percent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and Cargo Sales Charge (CSC), a move that weakens NCAA’s internally generated revenue crucial for safety oversight.
Najomo further pointed to the proliferation of illegal charter operations masquerading as private flights, often involving unregulated financial flows, stressing that EFCC’s financial intelligence capabilities are vital in detecting such irregularities.
“Non-remittance weakens 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,” he said.
He added, “Some operators deliberately under-report revenues, manipulate ticketing systems, or divert funds, sabotaging NCAA’s ability to regulate effectively. In such cases, EFCC’s intervention is necessary.”