Hadi Sirika’s trial takes a dramatic turn as an EFCC witness reveals details about the aircraft display linked to the Nigeria Air project

The Nigeria Air court case took a dramatic turn, as Christopher Odofin, the 12th prosecution witness, told Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, that former Aviation Minister, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, allegedly used an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft to present the delayed Nigeria Air project as a reality.

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Odofin, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said the aircraft arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on May 27, 2023, shortly before the end of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The witness told the court that the aircraft was painted with Nigeria Air branding for a brief display before it was flown back to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on May 29, 2023, the day of the transition to a new government.

Sirika is standing trial alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, his son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited over allegations of abuse of office and misappropriation of more than N2 billion.

The EFCC alleged that the former minister was involved in activities surrounding the Nigeria Air project, which was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited, owned by Gabriel Tilmann, a businessman linked to Sirika.

While giving evidence, Odofin presented details from an agreement involving Ethiopian Airlines. The document showed that the aircraft was scheduled to arrive in Abuja for a static display of the Nigeria Air livery between May 27 and May 29, 2023.

The agreement stated that Ethiopian Airlines crew would operate the flight, while locally arranged models dressed in Nigeria Air uniforms could participate in ceremonial photographs.

According to the witness, the timing of the aircraft’s arrival was not accidental but was planned around the expiration of Sirika’s tenure as aviation minister.

Odofin alleged that the arrangement created the impression that the government’s promise of a national carrier had been fulfilled, despite the aircraft being used only for a short display period.

The EFCC investigator further told the court that documents obtained from Ethiopian Airlines showed that the charter arrangement was signed on May 24, 2023, just days before the end of the minister’s tenure.

The witness added that after the display ended, the Nigeria Air markings were removed and the aircraft returned to Ethiopian Airlines operations.

The prosecution tendered several documents as evidence, all of which were properly signed and certified. Lawyers representing the defendants did not object to the admission of the documents.

A compact disc containing a voice note allegedly from Sirika was also admitted as Exhibit 37. The prosecution counsel requested that the recording be played at the next hearing.