Ex-minister disguised Ethiopian Airlines plane as Nigeria Air, court hears

An investigator for Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented evidence in an Abuja court alleging that former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika misrepresented an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft as the national carrier, Nigeria Air. The EFCC's 12th prosecution witness, Christopher Odofin, testified that the aircraft was borrowed for a mere three days, from May 27 to 29, 2023, and was returned to Ethiopia immediately after its presentation as Nigeria Air.

Odofin stated that this arrangement was detailed in a portion of the contract agreement with Ethiopian Airlines. The contract was reportedly awarded to Tanaero Nigeria Limited (TNL), a company linked to Sirika's close associate, Gabriel Tilmann. The EFCC is prosecuting Sirika, his daughter Fatima Sirika, her husband Jalal Hamma, and their firm Al Buraq Global Investment on six counts, including charges of contract fraud totaling N2.8 billion.

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The aircraft will depart from Addis Ababa (ADD) late evening of 26 May 2023, for it to be positio

Prosecutors accuse Sirika of leveraging his position to unfairly benefit TNL for the Nigeria Air startup. All defendants have denied the allegations. The investigator also presented a voice note attributed to Sirika, allegedly instructing a Permanent Secretary to ensure the contract went to TNL, despite the minister being in Spain at the time. Sirika had promised Nigeria Air would launch before his term ended in May 2023, fulfilling this promise just days before leaving office.

The unveiling of Nigeria Air was met with skepticism. In June 2023, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) rejected the airline's application for certification, citing inadequate preparation. Earlier, in 2022, Sirika had announced Ethiopian Airlines as a core investor with a 49% stake, a move that drew criticism from local operators who believed they could manage the airline more effectively. The ceremony itself featured only one Ethiopian Airlines aircraft, sparking widespread concern.

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The investigating team arrived at this position when the phone of one Enitan Muyiwa Abel, who was a Permanent Secretary in the first defendant’s ministry, was analysed, showing a voice note sent to the Permanent Secretary while the first defendant (Mr Sirika was in Spain instructing him to ensure that the contract was awarded to TNL.