The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called for stronger surveillance at private wings of Nigerian airports, describing them as hotbeds for illicit financial activities.
Executive chairman Ola Olukoyede, made the request in a meeting with Captain Chris Najomo, Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Olukoyede said the EFCC was prepared to designate senior officers to work with NCAA on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering joint investigations, intelligence sharing, and compliance monitoring. “The Commission is ready to work closely with the Authority on non-remittance by airlines, illicit flows, and fraudulent ticketing systems,” he stated.
Najomo acknowledged the risks, citing non-remittance of the mandatory 5% Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) and Cargo Sales Charge (CSC) by some airlines. “Non-remittance weakens NCAA’s ability to fund safety oversight and operational efficiency. Some operators deliberately under-report revenues, manipulate ticketing systems, or divert funds,” he warned.
The NCAA chief also identified fraud risks in aircraft leasing, foreign maintenance contracts, and procurement of safety infrastructure, adding that illegal charter flights often disguise as private operations.
He urged EFCC’s intervention to safeguard regulatory oversight, investor confidence, and financial integrity in the aviation sector.
The call comes weeks after EFCC uncovered a fake “promo” linked to a foreign airline that tricked passengers into payments and unauthorised app downloads, which fraudsters used to siphon funds from victims’ bank accounts.
