Sirika used Ethiopian Airlines plane to stage Nigeria Air launch -EFCC

An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja that former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, allegedly used an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft disguised as Nigeria Air’s plane during the unveiling of the national carrier in May 2023.

The testimony was given on Wednesday by Christopher Odofin, the 12th prosecution witness in the ongoing trial involving Mr Sirika, his daughter Fatima Sirika, her husband Jalal Hamma, and their company, Al Buraq Global Investment.

According to Mr Odofin, documents obtained during the investigation revealed that the aircraft displayed during the launch was chartered from Ethiopian Airlines for only three days, from May 27 to May 29, 2023, before it was returned to Ethiopia.

Reading from a contract agreement between Nigeria Air and Ethiopian Airlines, the witness said the aircraft was scheduled to arrive in Abuja on May 27 for a static display bearing Nigeria Air’s livery and depart on May 29 after the ceremony.

The agreement, as read in court, stated that the aircraft would be operated by Ethiopian Airlines crew members wearing the airline’s uniforms, while local models dressed in Nigeria Air uniforms could participate in ceremonial photographs.

Mr Odofin alleged that the arrangement was intended to create the impression that Nigeria Air had commenced operations before the end of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He told the court that the Nigeria Air branding was removed from the aircraft less than 72 hours after the unveiling and that the plane subsequently returned to Addis Ababa.

The witness further stated that the EFCC obtained documentary evidence from Ethiopian Airlines to support its findings after formally requesting information from the airline.

The anti-graft agency is prosecuting Mr Sirika and the other defendants on six counts bordering on alleged contract fraud involving N2.8 billion. One of the charges accuses the former minister of using his office to confer an unfair advantage on Tanaero Nigeria Limited (TNL), a company allegedly linked to his associate, Gabriel Tilmann, in relation to the Nigeria Air project.

All defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Mr Odofin also testified that investigators recovered a voice note allegedly sent by Mr Sirika to a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Aviation, Enitan Muyiwa Abel. According to the witness, the message instructed the official to ensure that a contract was awarded to TNL while the former minister was in Spain.

He added that a contract initially awarded to TNL for over N299 million in April 2022 was later extended in October of the same year, increasing its value to more than N599 million.

The EFCC tendered several documents as exhibits, including a compact disc containing the alleged voice note. Prosecutors requested that the recording be played during the next hearing.

Nigeria Air was officially unveiled on May 26, 2023, just days before the end of the Buhari administration. However, the project attracted controversy after stakeholders questioned the airline’s readiness and the prominent role of Ethiopian Airlines, which had earlier been announced as a 49 per cent shareholder in the venture.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) later declined Nigeria Air’s request to advance to the next stage of obtaining an Air Operator’s Certificate, citing inadequate operational preparedness.

Justice Sylvanus Oriji adjourned further proceedings in the case to June 10.