By Okafor Joseph Afam
December 16, 2024

In March 2024, the Nigerian government issued a stern warning to holders of the Permit for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) against illegally engaging in the carriage of passengers, cargo, or mail for hire and reward. The warning, aimed at restoring regulatory compliance, appears to have fallen on deaf ears as private jet operators continue to flout the rules.

An investigation by SaharaReporters has revealed that corrupt officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) are complicit in circumventing regulations. These officials discreetly allow private jets, originally registered for personal use, to operate as commercial charter services after receiving hefty bribes.

While NCAA regulations stipulate that jets operating charter services must remit five per cent of their revenue as ticket sales charges, some private jet owners, with the aid of corrupt NCAA staff, bypass this requirement. In July 2024, the NCAA suspended the PNCF licences of ten private jet operators for failing to comply with recertification aimed at curbing illegal operations. However, enforcement remains weak, and insiders say bribe-taking within the regulatory body undermines its mandate.

Private Jets Involved in Illegal Charter Operations

Top sources in the NCAA disclosed that several private-registered jets are frequently deployed for commercial use in violation of aviation rules. Among the implicated aircraft are:

5N-SJI: An Embraer Legacy 650 jet allegedly linked to former Delta State Governor, James Ibori.

5N-JLA, 5N-ONC, 5N-LRK, and 5N-FZE: Embraer Legacy 600 jets.

One of the sources stated:
“Despite the directive by the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, banning private jets from charter operations, these illicit activities persist. Corrupt NCAA staff facilitate this, eroding industry integrity and creating unfair competition for legitimate operators.”

Systemic Fraud and Dubious Aircraft Registrations

The investigation uncovered systemic abuse within the NCAA, including officials colluding with private operators to alter aircraft details and bypass regulations. One glaring violation relates to the agency’s policy restricting aircraft age to a maximum of 22 years.

The following irregularities were identified:

Two Embraer EMB-135BJ Legacy jets, sharing the same serial number 145516, fraudulently entered Nigeria under registrations 5N-JLA and 5N-ONC. Both aircraft are over 23 years old.

Aircraft 5N-CDM, aged 24 years, was introduced into Nigeria with falsified paperwork, violating age restrictions and endangering passenger safety.

A source within the NCAA revealed:
“Some officers issue fraudulent certificates and fake clearances for cash bribes. Aircraft over the regulatory age limit are allowed into the market, jeopardizing safety.”

Operators and Regulatory Failures

Two Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) holders, Mounthill Aviation and Skybird, were identified as major culprits. These operators allegedly facilitate fraudulent charter services and regulatory breaches, often with the tacit approval of NCAA personnel.

The source added:
“This is not just a regulatory failure; it’s a systemic collapse. Corrupt NCAA officials are actively undermining their own policies for financial gain. These practices compromise passenger safety, damage the aviation sector’s credibility, and undermine fair competition.”

Call for Immediate Action

The sources urged the Nigerian government and stakeholders to address these breaches decisively. Their recommendations include:

1. Comprehensive Audit: Investigate private jet operations to identify unauthorized charters.
2. Prosecution: Investigate and prosecute corrupt NCAA officials involved in the scheme.
3. Enforce Aircraft Age Limits: Nullify registrations of aircraft with fraudulent documentation.
4. Revoke AOCs: Operators found guilty of colluding with NCAA staff should have their licences revoked.

The investigation underscores the urgent need for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to enforce its mandate without fear or favor. Failure to act will not only erode public trust but also compromise the safety and security of Nigeria’s aviation industry.