EFCC Arrests Medview Airline CEO Over Diversion of Hajj Funds

The CEO and Managing Director of Medview Airline, Mr. Muneer Bankole has been taken into the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody over allegations of diversion of funds.

The EFCC Spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, when contacted on Tuesday, confirmed the arrest of Mr. Bankole.

Bankole was reportedly detained at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja on Monday after the antigraft agency invited him for questioning on a case of alleged diversion of 50 percent of funds paid to him by the National Hajj Commission (NHC).

The CEO, according to a source, was also probed about an additional $900,000 for the airlift of pilgrims in 2019. He allegedly received the funds as mobilisation but did not execute the contract.

His company, Medview Airline was initially known to operate only charter flights, predominantly flying pilgrims to Saudia Arabia for Hajj in Mecca. It is one of the few Nigerian airlines the NHC recognises to transport pilgrims.

Medview, later on, began operating passenger services, flying to more than 15 destinations across Africa and to a few areas in the Middle East. It also offers flight services within states in Nigeria.

The airline, founded in 2007, is headquartered in Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State.