EFCC Arrests ‘Airline Captain’ for Alleged N1bn Fraud in Kaduna

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently arrested a suspect named Captain Nuhu Haruna in connection with an alleged N1bn fraud in Kaduna.

According to a statement released by the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, the suspect was apprehended after a petitioner claimed that he had been introduced to Haruna for a foreign exchange transaction involving N1,020,000.000 (One Billion, Twenty Million Naira) in December 2023.

The petitioner alleged that he had paid the money into the suspect’s account but never received the dollar equivalent.

Haruna allegedly provided false evidence of payments made, prompting the EFCC to launch an investigation.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Haruna, who claimed to be an airline captain, allegedly diverted the funds for personal use by purchasing properties and vehicles intended for the start-up of an alleged airline company, Air Unity Aviation Services.

Among the assets purchased were a house valued at N155 million, another property worth N350 million, three 18-seater Toyota Hiace buses with the company logo, and four exotic cars.

The EFCC has stated that the suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to combat financial crimes and fraud in Nigeria.