CAC Exposes 189 Fake Companies Involved FCT Land Allocation Scam

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has sounded the alarm about a disturbing surge in counterfeit companies operating within the country. Their concerns were heightened when they revealed the discovery of 189 fake companies that had been exploiting their status to obtain land allocations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. During a press briefing held on Tuesday, the Registrar General of the CAC, Hussaini Magaji, unveiled these shocking findings.  The investigation was initiated following a complaint from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) regarding a dubious company seeking land allocation. Magaji delved into the details, explaining that the exposure of the non-existent company prompted an extensive inquiry. This, in turn, led to the identification of several other fraudulent entities operating for the same nefarious purpose. Two suspects, including a lawyer, have been apprehended in connection with this fraudulent activity.  The investigation further revealed the existence of a cartel comprising individuals from the Abuja Geographical Information System, lawyers, and even some within the commission itself. Magaji emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “Let me use this opportunity to inform the public that one of the major milestones achieved so far since I assumed office is our ability to bust a cartel or a network of individuals that are causing havoc for the commission.  This cartel collaborates with certain lawyers who falsely claim to be accredited agents of the commission and conspires with staff from the Abuja Geographical Information System to secure land allocations in the FCT. We only became aware of this criminal activity after a complaint from the Federal Capital Territory Administration prompted us to verify some applications made by these entities, which, shockingly, were non-existent within our system.”

NCAA lifts suspension on XEjet operations

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it lifted the suspension on the operations of XEjet Airline following the resolution of an aircraft insurance challenge with one of the airline’s planes.  According to a letter signed by Director General Civil Aviation, Capt Musa Nuhu, after considering the submission of the airline and confirming it met regulatory compliance, the suspension was lifted. The document titled: Lifting Of Suspension On Your Air Transport Licence (Atl) And Air Operators Certificate (AOC) reads: Further to the NCAA’s letter on the above subject matter referenced NCAA/DGCA/GC/8/16/628 and dated 30 August, 2023, the Authority hereby lifts the suspension on your ATL and AOC after considering your submissions.  “Consequently, you have been cleared to exercise the privilege of your ATL and AOC.” Speaking on the issue, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of XEjet, Mr. Emmanuel Iza said: “The suspension is within the regulatory framework and we want to thank the Authority for diligently doing its work. We are happy to be back and we will continue to deepen our safety consciousness. “We sincerely thank you all for your patience, unwavering support, understanding and cooperation. We look forward to continuing delivering our premium services to you. Your safety and security is always of utmost importance to us.”

NCAA, ICAO sign Civil Aviation MasterPlan agreement

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has signed the Civil Aviation MasterPlan (CAMP) agreement with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montreal, Canada to foster development in the industry. The Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA) Capt. Musa Nuhu confirmed the development in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos. Nuhu represented Nigeria at the signing ceremony, while ICAO’s Secretary-General, Mr Juan Salaazar signed for the international body. CAMP is a course for senior and middle managers of the State’s Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) on the recovery from the impacts of COVID-19, in accordance with the relevant ICAO provisions. Nuhu explained that the partnership with ICAO was to enable the sector to attain its full potential, while also making significant contributions to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The director-general said that the partnership with ICAO would further lead to more direct and indirect job opportunities for qualified Nigerians in various fields. The NCAA chief said that it was high time the sector in the country played its key role of developing the nation through air travel. Nuhu stated that the industry had played pivotal roles in the development of many countries around the world and Nigeria with the biggest economy in Africa could not operate in isolation of the others. He said: “CAMP is a process to plan for the short, intermediate, and long term development goals through implementing policy directives and to drive change and transformation. “Civil aviation masterplan would be critical to facilitate the growth of the sector and the deployment of required action plans. “This is to stimulate the development and growth of the industry, thereby acting as catalysts and enabler of national economy. “We need to have an orderly growth and development of the industry in tandem with our national aspirations. “Economies of many countries depend almost entirely on aviation and aviation played a significant role in the development of Dubai and Emirates is its global brand.” In a bid to ensure the development to the industry in particular and Nigeria at large, Nuhu said that all relevant stakeholders within and outside the ecosystem would be carried along.