Witness: Sirika used Ethiopian Airlines aircraft as Nigeria Air in N2bn fraud trial

A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, on Wednesday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that an aircraft belonging to Ethiopian Airlines was allegedly presented as Nigeria Air shortly before the end of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The witness, Christopher Odofin, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the 12th prosecution witness, testified before Justice S.C. Oriji in the trial of Sirika and three others over alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of more than N2 billion in public funds.

Sirika is being prosecuted alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, his son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited on a six-count amended charge.

According to the witness, documents obtained during the investigation revealed that an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft bearing the Nigeria Air livery was chartered for a temporary display at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, from May 27 to May 29, 2023.

Reading from a charter agreement between Ethiopian Airlines and Nigeria Air promoters, Odofin told the court that the aircraft departed Addis Ababa on May 26, 2023, arrived in Abuja the following day for a static display, and returned to Ethiopia on May 29, 2023.

The agreement, he said, specified that the flight would be operated by Ethiopian Airlines crew members in their official uniforms, while local models dressed in Nigeria Air uniforms could be used for ceremonial photographs.

The witness alleged that the arrangement was deliberately timed to coincide with the end of Sirika’s tenure as aviation minister and create the impression that the long-promised national carrier had become operational.

He told the court that after less than 72 hours on display in Abuja, the Nigeria Air branding was removed and the aircraft was flown back to Addis Ababa.

Odofin further stated that investigations showed the charter agreement was signed on May 24, 2023, just five days before the end of the Buhari administration, despite the Nigeria Air project having been initiated years earlier.

The witness also testified that a contract for the establishment of Nigeria Air was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited for over N299 million in April 2022 and was later extended to more than N599 million in October of the same year.

According to him, analysis of the phone of a former Permanent Secretary in the ministry allegedly revealed a voice note from Sirika directing that the contract be awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited.

The prosecution also tendered several documents, including a compact disc containing a voice note allegedly sent by Sirika. The prosecution indicated that the recording would be played in open court at the next hearing.

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