The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has vehemently denied accusations leveled against its Director General, Capt. Chris Najomo, concerning the purchase of a 2022 Toyota Landcruiser (70th Anniversary Edition) valued at over N250 million.

In a report published by an online news medium, it was alleged that the current DG engaged in financial recklessness, violated government procurement regulations, and abused office shortly after assuming the role.

The report, citing an unnamed insider, claimed that there was no appropriation approval by the National Assembly for the purchase of the said vehicle, and further alleged that the acting director general approved foreign training for 109 staff costing over N1 billion within his first week in office.

However, during a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Mr. Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, labeled the report as baseless and accused it of being a sponsored attempt to tarnish the agency’s reputation.

Achimugu emphasized that the NCAA follows stringent procurement processes and guidelines and refuted claims of any financial misconduct. He challenged the accusers to provide evidence, stating that the agency had not disbursed any funds for vehicle procurement.

Regarding the issue of seized funds, Achimugu clarified that this challenge is not unique to the NCAA and highlighted the agency’s continued remittance of funds to the federal government despite such seizures.

Addressing the matter of training for staff, he stressed the importance of ongoing professional development, asserting that approvals had been granted and payments made, pending the lifting of the ban on foreign trips.

Achimugu also commended the director-general for his achievements over the past four months, including the settlement of outstanding housing arrears for staff dating back to 2019.

In light of these developments, the NCAA has threatened legal action against the online news outlet unless the defamatory story is retracted.