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ICYMI: EFCC gets Chukkol as acting Chair, quizzes Nigeria Air Officials
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has gotten Abdulkarim Chukkol as head of the anti-graft agency in an acting capacity while they also summoned the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and some officials of the Nigeria Air for questioning over the controversial national carrier.
This is coming a few days after the indefinite suspension of Abdulrasheed Bawa as Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the Bola Tinubu-led government.
More so, the EFCC’s investigation is said to be focused on the procurement process for the purchase of aircraft for Nigeria Air, as well as the airline’s financial status. The launch of Nigeria Air has been met with widespread criticism, with many Nigerians questioning the need for a new national carrier, given the poor performance of the country’s existing airlines.
The Agency investigation is likely to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the launch of Nigeria Air and could lead to further action against those involved.
A reliable source while speaking with reporters, said the commission would probe the huge sum sunk into the project amid contestations from some stakeholders that over N80 billion went into the venture.
“I can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation in that regard,” he said. EFCC had also questioned officials of Nigerian Air on the recent launch of the national carrier in Abuja.
“We have already questioned some officials of Nigeria Air. We have invited the former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika. We are expecting him within the week,” the source added.