EFCC Tells Court Ex-Minister Presented Ethiopian Airlines Plane as Nigeria Air
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told an FCT High Court that former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika allegedly used a chartered Ethiopian Airlines aircraft to stage a fake launch of the proposed "Nigeria Air" just days before leaving office.
Sirika is currently standing trial before Justice S.C. Oriji alongside his daughter, Fatima Sirika, his son-in-law, Hamma Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited over the alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of over ₦2 billion.
The "Static Display" Timeline
Testifying on Wednesday, the 12th prosecution witness and EFCC investigator, Christopher Odofin, detailed the timeline of the controversial aircraft display at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja:
May 26, 2023: The aircraft departed Addis Ababa.
May 27, 2023: The plane arrived in Abuja for a "static display" sporting Nigeria Air livery.
May 29, 2023: The plane returned to Ethiopia—coinciding exactly with the final day of Sirika’s tenure.
According to Odofin, the Nigeria Air branding was stripped from the aircraft less than 72 hours after its arrival. Ethiopian Airlines later confirmed via a June 2023 letter that the charter agreement only covered that three-day window.
From the Charter Agreement: "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."
Questionable Consultancy Contracts & Voice Note Evidence
The EFCC also raised flags over a consultancy contract awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited for the establishment of the national carrier.
The Link: The firm is allegedly tied to Gabriel Tilmann, described as a close associate of Sirika.
The Money: The contract was initially valued at over ₦299 million in April 2022, but was later inflated to more than ₦599 million in October 2022.
The Proof: The EFCC claims the contract extension was personally ordered by Sirika. Investigators recovered a voice note from the phone of a former Permanent Secretary, Enitan Muyiwa Abel, in which Sirika—calling from Spain—instructed that the contract be handed to Tianaero.
Next Steps
The prosecution has submitted several documents alongside a compact disc containing the incriminating voice note (marked as Exhibit 37). The defense team raised no objections to the evidence, and the prosecution plans to play the recording at the next session.
Trial Adjournment: Justice Oriji has adjourned the matter until June 17, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.