Alleged N2bn fraud: Witness says Sirika presented Ethiopian Airlines aircraft as Nigeria Air
A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Abubakar Sirika, former Minister of Aviation, Hadi , has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that the aircraft unveiled as Nigeria Air in May 2023 was actually an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft temporarily branded for a three-day display.
A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Abubakar Sirika, former Minister of Aviation, Hadi , has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that the aircraft unveiled as Nigeria Air in May 2023 was actually an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft temporarily branded for a three-day display.
The revelation came on Wednesday during proceedings before Sylvanus Oriji, (Justice) as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) continued its prosecution of Sirika and three other defendants over allegations of abuse of office and misappropriation of more than N2 billion in public funds linked to the Nigeria Air project.
Testifying as the 12th prosecution witness (PW12), Christopher Odofin, EFCC investigator said the anti-graft agency’s investigation uncovered documents showing that the aircraft displayed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly before the end of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, was chartered from Ethiopian Airlines solely for a temporary exhibition.
According to him, the aircraft arrived in Abuja on May 27, 2023, three days before the end of the Buhari administration, carrying the Nigeria Air livery and remained on display until May 29, 2023, when it was returned to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Odofin told the court that the arrangement was designed to create the impression that the Federal Government had successfully launched the long-promised national carrier before Sirika left office as Minister of Aviation.
Reading from a contract agreement between parties involved in the arrangement, the witness disclosed that the aircraft was scheduled to depart Addis Ababa on the night of May 26, 2023, arrive in Abuja early on May 27, remain on the ground for a static display of Nigeria Air branding, and return to Ethiopia on the morning of May 29.
He further told the court that the agreement specified that the chartered flight would be operated by Ethiopian Airlines crew members wearing the airline’s uniforms, while local models could be dressed in Nigeria Air uniforms for ceremonial photographs.
According to the witness, the EFCC’s investigation established that the aircraft’s appearance in Abuja was strategically timed to coincide with the final days of Sirika’s tenure in office and was intended to portray the Nigeria Air project as a completed achievement.
“The aircraft was displayed for less than 72 hours before the Nigeria Air branding was removed and the aircraft was flown back to Ethiopian Airlines in Addis Ababa,” Odofin told the court.
The witness also revealed that the EFCC obtained documents from Ethiopian Airlines indicating that the airline entered into a charter agreement for the temporary display of the Nigeria Air livery for only three days, from May 27 to May 29, 2023.
According to him, the airline supplied the information in response to an EFCC request dated June 12, 2023, seeking details about its involvement in the Nigeria Air project.
Odofin noted that although the Nigeria Air initiative was officially presented as a project aimed at establishing a national carrier, the charter arrangement with Ethiopian Airlines was signed on May 24, 2023, just five days before Sirika’s exit from office, and was limited to a static display of a branded aircraft.
Sirika is standing trial alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, his 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 diversion of public funds.
The EFCC further alleges irregularities in the award and execution of contracts connected with the proposed national airline.
Odofin told the court that the contract for the startup of Nigeria Air was awarded on April 4, 2022, to Tianaero Nigeria Limited, a company owned by aviation consultant Gabriel Tilmann, whom the witness described as a close associate of the former minister.
He stated that the initial contract, valued at more than N299 million, was later extended on October 17, 2022, with the contract value increasing to over N599 million.
The witness alleged that the extension was granted on the direct instructions of Sirika because of his relationship with the company’s owner.
According to Odofin, investigators reached that conclusion after analysing the mobile phone of Enitan Muyiwa Abel, who served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Aviation.
The analysis, he said, uncovered a voice note allegedly sent by Sirika while he was in Spain, directing the Permanent Secretary to ensure that the contract was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited.
In another development during the proceedings, the prosecution tendered several documentary exhibits, all of which were admitted without objection from counsel representing the four defendants.
Among the exhibits admitted by the court was a compact disc containing a voice recording allegedly made by Sirika and marked as Exhibit 37.
The prosecution subsequently applied for the audio recording to be played in open court at the next hearing.
Following the witness’s testimony, Oriji adjourned the matter until June 17, 2026, for continuation of trial.
