EFCC Witness Alleges Sirika Used Ethiopian Airlines Aircraft to Stage Nigeria Air Launch

Fresh revelations emerged in the ongoing trial of former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, as a prosecution witness told a Federal Capital Territory High Court that an aircraft belonging to Ethiopian Airlines was allegedly presented to Nigerians as the country’s proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air.

The testimony was given by Christopher Odofin, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the 12th prosecution witness in the case involving Sirika and three co-defendants over alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds amounting to more than ₦2 billion.

According to the witness, the aircraft that appeared at the unveiling of Nigeria Air in Abuja in May 2023 was not an operational aircraft belonging to the proposed airline but a chartered Ethiopian Airlines plane temporarily painted in Nigeria Air colours. He told the court that the aircraft arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on May 27, 2023, just three days before the end of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, and departed for Addis Ababa on May 29, 2023, the day power changed hands.

Reading from documents obtained during the investigation, Odofin said the charter agreement stipulated that the aircraft would remain in Abuja solely for a static display of the Nigeria Air livery before returning to Ethiopia. He further stated that the flight was operated entirely by Ethiopian Airlines personnel and that arrangements were made for individuals dressed in Nigeria Air uniforms to participate in ceremonial photographs.

The witness alleged that the display was carefully timed to coincide with the end of Sirika’s tenure as aviation minister and was intended to create the impression that the long-promised national carrier had become a reality. He told the court that the Nigeria Air branding was removed shortly after the event and the aircraft returned to Ethiopian Airlines.

Odofin also testified that investigators discovered a charter arrangement between the project promoters and Ethiopian Airlines that lasted only three days. According to him, the agreement was signed on May 24, 2023, barely five days before the end of the administration. Documents relating to the arrangement were reportedly supplied to the EFCC by Ethiopian Airlines following an official request for information.

Beyond the aircraft controversy, the witness told the court that the contract for the startup of Nigeria Air was awarded to Tanaero Nigeria Limited, a company allegedly linked to a close associate of the former minister. He said investigators examined communications, including a voice note, which they believe showed efforts to ensure the company secured the contract.

Sirika, alongside his daughter, Fatima Sirika, his son-in-law, Jalal Hamma, and a company linked to them, has pleaded not guilty to all charges brought by the EFCC. The anti-graft agency maintains that public funds were improperly utilized in connection with the Nigeria Air project, while the defendants deny any wrongdoing.

The trial was adjourned for the continuation of proceedings as the prosecution seeks to present additional evidence before the court.