EFCC alleges the Nigerian Air aircraft was chartered from Ethiopian Airlines for a three-day unveiling
By Frederick Ezennaya
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that the aircraft unveiled as Nigeria Air in May 2023 was allegedly chartered from Ethiopian Airlines for a three-day display shortly before the end of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
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 former Minister of Aviation, Hadi 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, Odofin testified that the aircraft displayed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on May 27, 2023, was chartered from Ethiopian Airlines exclusively for a static exhibition bearing the Nigeria Air livery.
While reading from a charter agreement between Ethiopian Airlines and the promoters of Nigeria Air, the witness stated that the aircraft departed Addis Ababa on May 26, 2023, arrived in Abuja on May 27 for the unveiling, and returned to Ethiopia on May 29, 2023.
The agreement, as presented in court, also provided that the flight would be operated by Ethiopian Airlines crew members wearing their official uniforms, while local models could be dressed in Nigeria Air uniforms for ceremonial photographs.
Part of the document read: “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 airport. The aircraft will stay at the Abuja airport for a static display of the Nigeria Air livery until May 28, 2023, before departing early on May 29, 2023. The chartered flight will be operated by the Ethiopian Airlines crew in Ethiopian Airlines uniform.”
The agreement further stated that the Federal Government of Nigeria and Nigeria Air could assemble local models in Nigeria Air uniforms to participate in ceremonial photographs, with the option of flying them from Addis Ababa to Abuja aboard the chartered aircraft.
Odofin told the court that the unveiling was scheduled to coincide with the expiration of Sirika’s tenure as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development on May 29, 2023.
He alleged that the aircraft was presented to the public as evidence that the Nigeria Air project had become operational, despite the arrangement being temporary.
According to the witness, the Nigeria Air branding was removed from the aircraft after less than 72 hours before it departed Abuja for Addis Ababa.
Odofin further testified that documents obtained from Ethiopian Airlines indicated that the charter agreement covered only the period between May 27 and May 29, 2023.
He said the airline supplied the information in a letter dated June 12, 2023, in response to an EFCC request regarding the Nigeria Air project.
The witness added that although the Nigeria Air initiative was conceived as a national carrier project, the charter agreement with Ethiopian Airlines was executed on May 24, 2023, only five days before Sirika left office, and was limited to displaying the Nigeria Air logo on the aircraft.
Odofin also testified on the award of a consultancy contract for the establishment of Nigeria Air to Tianaero Nigeria Limited, a company he alleged was linked to Gabriel Tilmann, whom he described as a close associate of the former minister.
According to him, the company initially received a consultancy contract valued at over N299 million on April 4, 2022, which was later extended on October 17, 2022, increasing its value to more than N599 million.
The witness stated that investigators concluded the extension was granted on Sirika’s instruction after analysing the mobile phone of Enitan Muyiwa Abel, a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry.
He told the court that the analysis revealed a voice note allegedly sent by Sirika while he was in Spain, directing the Permanent Secretary to ensure that the consultancy contract was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited.
The prosecution also tendered several documents, including a compact disc containing the alleged voice note, which was admitted as Exhibit 37.
Prosecution counsel subsequently applied for the audio recording to be played during 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 until June 17, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.
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