SaharaReporters has revealed allegations of inaction by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding a N7 billion Duty Tour Allowance fraud involving top NCAA officials.
According to impeccable sources within the NCAA, despite the gravity of the case, the indicted officials have not faced prosecution and continue to enjoy promotions and work benefits.
In March 2023, the EFCC arrested four senior NCAA officials over an initial N2 billion Duty Tour Allowance fraud, which was later uncovered to involve over N7 billion.
The arrested officials included Bilkisu Adamu Sani (Director, Finance and Accounts), Hart Benson Fimienye (Deputy General Manager, Treasury), Obene Jenbarimiema Turniel (Deputy General Manager, Management Accounts), and Nathaniel Terna Kaainjo (General Manager, Accounts and Stores). Additional arrests were later made, involving other Finance Directorate staff and unnamed officials.
Sources disclosed that EFCC investigators found over N7 billion in the bank accounts of the suspects, many of whom work in the NCAA’s Finance Directorate. However, despite these findings, no official has been arraigned in court nearly two years later.
One NCAA source described the EFCC’s inaction as troubling: “This is one of the biggest cases of fraud in the aviation ministry, and the EFCC has been playing about with it. Even though the EFCC has concrete evidence, none of the suspects has been arraigned.”
Another source added, “The indicted officials are not only avoiding prosecution but are also being promoted faster than others who genuinely work to advance the aviation sector.”
Reports from ThisDay in May 2023 further detailed how the looted funds were allegedly distributed among senior officials. One General Manager was reported to have N800 million in their account, while others had to remit between N300 million and N400 million. The funds were reportedly used to acquire properties and luxury items.
It was also revealed that Captain Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of the NCAA at the time, was not a signatory to the agency’s accounts, raising questions about his knowledge of the fraudulent activities.
Despite continued petitions from aviation workers, the EFCC has yet to take decisive action on the case, fuelling concerns about corruption and a lack of accountability within the anti-graft agency.
