Nigeria’s First Nation CEO Criticizes EFCC Over Acquittal Omission

First Nation Airways CEO Kayode Odukoya has publicly criticized Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for failing to update its website to reflect his December 2023 acquittal, saying the omission continues to harm his reputation. In a statement reported by local media, Odukoya described the EFCC’s inaction as an “unjust extension of a media trial.”

The Special Offences Court in Lagos had cleared Odukoya of all charges of fraud, forgery and theft brought by the EFCC. The court dismissed every count, declaring the prosecution’s case had “collapsed like a pack of cards” due to unreliable and inadmissible evidence. Despite the ruling, Odukoya said the EFCC’s website still lists the original accusations without acknowledging his acquittal, perpetuating misinformation about him and his airline.

Odukoya argued that the agency’s failure to update its records undermines both his personal reputation and First Nation Airways’ image, which has struggled to rebuild public trust after years of legal and operational challenges. He called on the EFCC to promptly correct its online information to reflect the court’s verdict, emphasizing that continued publication of outdated allegations damages the credibility of Nigeria’s justice system.

Industry observers note that the dispute underscores the lasting impact of public corruption charges on business leaders even after acquittal. For First Nation Airways, which has been working to reposition itself in Nigeria’s competitive aviation sector, clearing the public record is seen as essential to restoring stakeholder confidence and moving forward with potential partnerships.

Related News: https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/airline-finance/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com