The 12th Prosecution Witness, Christopher Odofin, has alleged that former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, misrepresented an aircraft belonging to Ethiopian Airlines as Nigeria Air. The witness, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified before Justice Al Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
Planned Deception at Abuja Airport
Odofin stated that the display of the aircraft at Abuja International Airport was deliberately timed to coincide with the end of Sirika's tenure as minister on May 29, 2023. The investigator added that the intention was to pass off the aircraft as the actualization of Sirika's promise to return Nigeria Air. After less than 72 hours of display, the Nigeria Air logo was removed, and the aircraft was flown back to Ethiopian Airlines in Addis Ababa.
Contract Details Revealed
According to a statement issued via the EFCC X handle, @OfficialEFCC, the witness read from the contract agreement with Ethiopian Airlines. The agreement stated: "The aircraft will depart from Addis Ababa (ADD) 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 in 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 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."
Three-Day Charter Arrangement
The EFCC investigator said the investigation revealed that Ethiopian Airlines entered into a charter arrangement for the static display of the Nigeria Air for a duration of just three days. This was based on information and documents received from the airline following a letter dated June 12, 2023. Odofin noted, "The charter agreement with Ethiopian Airlines was entered into on May 24, 2023, five days to the expiration of the defendant's tenure, for just a static display of the Nigeria Air logo on an aircraft."
Background of the Nigeria Air Project
Sirika had repeatedly promised that Nigeria would have a national carrier and finally launched Nigeria Air in May 2023. However, the project generated significant controversy and questions, leading to its suspension by Nigerian lawmakers. Federal Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has since confirmed the status of Nigeria Air and outlined plans ahead.
EFCC Arrests Former Minister Sirika
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the EFCC arrested Sirika over an ongoing investigation into money laundering worth N8,069,176,864.00. Sources indicated that Sirika was alleged to have awarded a fraudulent contract to a company owned by his brother, Abubakar Sirika.
