The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told the Federal Capital Territory high court in Abuja that former minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, allegedly presented an aircraft belonging to Ethiopian Airlines as Nigeria Air in the final days of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The allegation was made on Wednesday by the 12th prosecution witness, Christopher Odofin, an EFCC investigator, during proceedings before Justice S.C. Oriji in the ongoing trial of Sirika and three others over alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds exceeding N2 billion.
Sirika is standing trial alongside his daughter, Fatima Sirika; his son-in-law, Hamma Sule; and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited on an amended six-count charge.
According to a statement issued by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the witness told the court that the aircraft displayed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on May 27, 2023, was chartered from Ethiopian Airlines solely for a short-term display in Nigeria Air livery.
Odofin explained that the aircraft was flown from Addis Ababa on May 26, 2023, arrived in Abuja on May 27 for the unveiling, and departed on May 29 after less than 72 hours on the ground.
He further revealed that the charter agreement specified that the flight would be operated by Ethiopian Airlines crew in their official uniforms, while local models dressed in Nigeria Air uniforms were to participate in ceremonial photographs.
“The aircraft will stay at Abuja airport for static display of Nigeria Air livery until May 28 and depart on May 29. The operation will be handled by Ethiopian Airlines crew,” the document stated in part.
The witness alleged that the display was deliberately timed to coincide with the end of Sirika’s tenure on May 29, 2023, and was presented to the public as evidence that the Nigeria Air project had taken off.
He added that the Nigeria Air branding was removed from the aircraft before it returned to Ethiopia, indicating that the arrangement was temporary.
Odofin also told the court that Ethiopian Airlines confirmed the limited nature of the arrangement in a letter dated June 12, 2023, sent in response to an EFCC inquiry.
Further testimony revealed that a consultancy contract for the Nigeria Air project was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited, a firm allegedly linked to Gabriel Tilmann, described as a close associate of the former minister.
The contract, initially valued at over N299 million in April 2022, was later increased to more than N599 million in October 2022.
According to the witness, investigators concluded that the contract extension was granted on the instructions of Sirika, citing evidence obtained from the phone of a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry.
He said a voice note allegedly sent by Sirika from Spain directed that the contract be awarded to the company.
The prosecution tendered several documents in court, including a compact disc containing the alleged voice recording, which was admitted as evidence without objection from the defence.
The court adjourned proceedings to a later date, when the recording is expected to be played as part of the prosecution’s case.
