A scandal has emerged as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) faces accusations of covering up a N7 billion fraud involving top officials at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Despite the arrest of several key figures in 2023, the implicated officials have not been prosecuted and continue to receive promotions and benefits, leading to widespread outrage over the EFCC’s handling of the case.

The fraud, which centers around the misappropriation of Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) funds, has reportedly amounted to N7 billion.

According to SaharaReporters, sources within the NCAA revealed that despite the scale of the alleged theft, the indicted officials have not faced any official scrutiny.

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Rather than being held accountable, these officials have continued to benefit from promotions and other work privileges, while the EFCC has yet to take meaningful action.

The absence of legal proceedings raises concerns about the integrity of the investigation and the commitment of the EFCC to address the high-level corruption.

Recall that in March 2023, four senior NCAA officials were arrested by the EFCC in connection with the fraud, which initially involved an estimated N2 billion in stolen DTA funds.

However, further investigation revealed that the amount had risen to N7 billion. The arrested officials included Bilkisu Adamu Sani, Director of Finance and Accounts; Hart Benson Fimienye, Deputy General Manager of Treasury; Obene Jenbarimiema Turniel, Deputy General Manager of Management Accounts; and Nathaniel Terna Kaainjo, General Manager of Accounts and Stores.

Additional arrests were made, including several staff members from the NCAA’s Finance Directorate, after EFCC investigators uncovered more than N7 billion in the suspects’ bank accounts.

The EFCC’s apparent inaction since the arrests has prompted frustration from within the aviation sector.

A source within the NCAA expressed disbelief at the lack of legal action, stating, “I’m bringing this as one of the biggest cases of fraud in the aviation ministry which the EFCC has been playing about with.

“Even though the same EFCC has got truthful facts that the crime was committed, the agency has never arraigned the alleged officials in court nor does it have any intention of arraigning anyone of them.”

The source continued, “This shows one of the many corrupt and sharp practices of the anti-graft agency. The aviation workers are still petitioning the EFCC on this fraud because those top officials involved are enjoying the looted money. They are still sitting in the same position that gave them this privilege.”

Another source corroborated, adding, “Even the indicted officials are promoted faster than those working and breaking their necks to move the Nigerian aviation forward.”

Further details of the fraud emerged in May 2023, when sources revealed that the stolen N7 billion had been used by the suspects to acquire luxury homes in Abuja and Lagos, along with expensive cars.

One General Manager was found to have up to N800 million in his account.

“More than N7 billion has so far been found in the accounts of these people and low-level staff in NCAA that works in the Finance Directorate. They have been stealing money in NCAA, and have continued to do so even today,” a source revealed.

The scandal has also raised questions about the oversight of the NCAA’s financial operations.

Captain Musa Nuhu, the Director-General at the time, was not listed as a signatory to the agency’s accounts, leading to speculation that he may have been unaware of the fraudulent activities taking place.