EFCC WITNESS TELLS COURT SIRIKA ALLEGEDLY USED ETHIOPIAN AIRCRAFT TO STAGE NIGERIA AIR LAUNCH

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The trial of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, continued on Wednesday as the 12th prosecution witness told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that the aircraft presented as Nigeria Air in May 2023 allegedly belonged to Ethiopian Airlines and was used only for a temporary display.

According to a statement issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the witness, an investigator with the agency, testified before Justice S. C. Oriji that the aircraft was brought into Nigeria shortly before the end of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The EFCC alleged that the aircraft, branded with Nigeria Air livery, landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on May 27, 2023, and departed for Addis Ababa on the morning of May 29, 2023, the day power was handed over to a new administration.

Sirika is currently facing trial alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited on an amended six-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds exceeding ₦2 billion.

During proceedings, the witness read portions of a contract agreement involving Ethiopian Airlines, which allegedly stated that the aircraft would remain in Abuja for a static display of the Nigeria Air branding and later return to Ethiopia.

According to the testimony, the aircraft was to be operated by Ethiopian Airlines crew members in their official uniforms, while local models could be dressed in Nigeria Air uniforms for ceremonial photographs.

The witness further alleged that the display was intentionally timed to coincide with the final days of Sirika’s tenure as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development to create the impression that Nigeria Air had become operational.

The prosecution also told the court that after less than 72 hours, the Nigeria Air branding was removed and the aircraft returned to Ethiopia.

The EFCC stated that investigation findings showed Ethiopian Airlines entered into a short-term charter arrangement specifically for the display of the Nigeria Air livery between May 27 and May 29, 2023.

The witness also testified regarding the contract awarded for the Nigeria Air start-up project, alleging that Tianaero Nigeria Limited received an initial contract worth over ₦299 million in April 2022, which was later extended to more than ₦599 million in October 2022.

According to the witness, investigators arrived at conclusions regarding the contract process after reviewing communications, including an alleged voice note connected to directives for the contract award.

The prosecution also tendered several documents and a compact disc said to contain a voice note linked to the first defendant. The prosecution requested that the audio be played at the next hearing date.

Justice Oriji subsequently adjourned the matter until June 17, 2026, for continuation of trial proceedings.