Nigeria Air fraud: Ex-aviation minister rented Ethiopian Airlines plane for three-day show-EFCC

Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika of presenting a chartered aircraft as the national carrier, Nigeria Air, shortly before the end of the previous administration. The allegation was made in the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja during the ongoing trial of Sirika and three others for alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds exceeding N2 billion.

Christopher Odofin, an EFCC investigator and the 12th prosecution witness, testified that the aircraft displayed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on May 27, 2023, was chartered from Ethiopian Airlines specifically for a three-day static display. The plane, bearing Nigeria Air livery, was reportedly flown in from Addis Ababa on May 26 and returned on May 29, 2023.

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The aircraft will depart from Addis Ababa 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 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 Airline crew in Ethiopian Airline uniform.

According to a charter agreement presented in court, the flight was operated by Ethiopian Airlines crew in their uniforms. Local models could be dressed in Nigeria Air uniforms for ceremonial photographs. The document stated the aircraft would be positioned for static display until May 28, before departing early on May 29. It also mentioned the possibility of models traveling from Addis Ababa to Abuja for the event.

Odofin alleged that the display was timed to coincide with Sirika's tenure as Minister of Aviation ending on May 29, 2023. He claimed the aircraft was presented as proof that the Nigeria Air project had materialized, despite being a temporary arrangement. After the less than 72-hour display, the Nigeria Air branding was reportedly removed before the aircraft was returned to Ethiopia.

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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.