A key witness has told a Nigerian court that former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika violated due process in awarding major Nigeria Air contracts, intensifying the high-profile Sirika Nigeria Air fraud trial
Former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Hadi Abubakar Sirika, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecutors, and prosecution witness Christopher Odofin faced continued proceedings in Abuja on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, as the EFCC trial heard fresh testimony alleging serious violations of procurement rules in contracts linked to the Nigeria Air project.
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Hadi Abubakar Sirika, the first defendant, is standing trial alongside his daughter Fatima Hadi Sirika, his son-in-law Hamma Jalal Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited on amended six-count charges of abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds exceeding N2 billion.
The testimony centred on two contracts awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited for consultancy services on the national carrier initiative.
Christopher Odofin, an EFCC investigator, told Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court that the first contract worth N299 million was awarded on April 4, 2022, before the Bureau of Public Procurement responded to a request for a Certificate of No Objection.
A second contract extension valued at N599 million followed similar patterns, with the BPP reportedly kept in the dark.
The witness disclosed that both contracts were fully paid to Tianaero Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Sirika’s close associate Gabriel Tilmann, which had been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission only in March 2021.
Little tangible progress on the Nigeria Air project was evident despite the substantial disbursements.
This case forms part of broader scrutiny of the ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful Nigeria Air national carrier project launched during the previous administration.
Critics have long raised concerns over transparency in aviation sector deals, while supporters argue such initiatives were necessary to revitalise Nigeria’s struggling aviation industry.
Sirika has consistently maintained his innocence, describing the prosecution as politically motivated.
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A compact disc containing alleged verbal instructions from the former minister was slated for playback but deferred due to technical issues. Justice Oriji adjourned the matter to July 8 and 9, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
Victory Emmanuel is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
