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 the proposed Nigeria Air shortly before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Naijaonpoint reports that the allegation was made on Wednesday by the 12th prosecution witness, Christopher Odofin, an EFCC investigator, while testifying before Justice S.C. Oriji.
Sirika is standing trial alongside his daughter, Fatima Sirika; his son-in-law, Hamma Sule; and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited over alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds exceeding ₦2 billion.
A statement by the EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said Odofin told the court that the aircraft displayed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on May 27, 2023, was chartered from Ethiopian Airlines.
According to NAIJAONPOINT , the aircraft was brought in only for a three-day static display bearing Nigeria Air livery.
Reading from a charter agreement between Ethiopian Airlines and the promoters of Nigeria Air, Odofin said the aircraft left Addis Ababa on May 26, 2023, arrived in Abuja on May 27 and returned to Ethiopia on May 29.
“The aircraft will depart from Addis Ababa late evening of May 26, 2023, for it to be positioned early morning of May 27, 2023, at the Abuja (ABV) airport. The aircraft will stay at ABV airport for a static display of Nigeria Air livery until May 28, 2023. The aircraft will leave ABV airport early morning on May, 29, 2023. The chartered flight will be operated by the Ethiopian Airlines crew in Ethiopian Airlines uniform,” the document partly read.
It added, “The Federal Government of Nigeria and Nigeria Air may put together local models who will be in Nigeria Air uniforms to pose for ceremonial pictures. The models may come to Addis Ababa so they may fly with the chartered flight to ABV.”
Odofin told the court that the display was deliberately timed to coincide with the expiration of Sirika’s tenure as Minister of Aviation on May 29, 2023.
He alleged that the aircraft was presented to the public as proof that the Nigeria Air project had materialised, despite being a temporary arrangement.
According to him, the Nigeria Air branding was removed from the aircraft less than 72 hours before it was flown back to Addis Ababa.
NAIJAONPOINT added that documents obtained from Ethiopian Airlines showed that the charter arrangement covered only the period between May 27 and May 29, 2023.
He said the airline provided the information in a letter dated June 12, 2023, in response to an EFCC request on the Nigeria Air project.
Odofin also testified on the award of a consultancy contract for the establishment of Nigeria Air to Tianaero Nigeria Limited.
He alleged that the company was linked to Gabriel Tilmann, whom he described as a close associate of the former minister.
According to him, the company was initially awarded a contract worth over ₦299 million on April 4, 2022, before the contract was extended on October 17, 2022, to more than ₦599 million.
The EFCC investigator said the prosecution team concluded that the extension was granted on Sirika’s instruction because of his relationship with the company’s principal.
“The investigating team arrived at this position when the phone of one Enitan Muyiwa Abel, who was a Permanent Secretary in the first defendant’s ministry, was analysed, showing a voice note sent to the Permanent Secretary while the first defendant was in Spain, instructing him to ensure that the contract was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited,” he said.
The prosecution tendered several documents, including a compact disc containing a voice note allegedly from Sirika, which was marked as Exhibit 37.
The prosecution counsel applied for the recording to be played at the next hearing.
None of the defence counsel objected to the admission of the documents, which were accompanied by certificates of identification and authorisation.
Justice Oriji adjourned the matter till June 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.
