Sirika trial: EFCC says Nigeria Air plane returned to Ethiopia days after launch

An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja that the aircraft presented during the unveiling of Nigeria Air in May 2023 was sourced from Ethiopian Airlines and remained in Nigeria for only three days before returning to Addis Ababa.

Christopher Odofin, 12th prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, made the disclosure on Wednesday while testifying before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.

Sirika is being prosecuted by the EFCC on a 6-count amended charge involving alleged abuse of office and the misappropriation of more than N2 billion. Also standing trial are his daughter, Fatima Sirika; his son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule; and their firm, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.

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While presenting evidence, Odofin read excerpts from documents obtained from Ethiopian Airlines during the commission’s investigation into the Nigeria Air project. The documents, he said, detailed an arrangement under which Ethiopian Airlines agreed to provide an aircraft painted in Nigeria Air colours for a short appearance in Abuja shortly before the end of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Reading from the agreement, the witness said the aircraft was scheduled to depart Addis Ababa on the evening of May 26, 2023, and arrive in Abuja on the morning of May 27. It was to remain at the airport for a static display of the Nigeria Air livery until May 28 before departing Abuja early on May 29.

Odofin further told the court that the aircraft was operated entirely by Ethiopian Airlines personnel dressed in the airline’s uniforms. The agreement also stated that the Nigerian government and Nigeria Air could engage local models dressed in Nigeria Air uniforms to participate in ceremonial photographs. The models, according to the document, could travel to Addis Ababa and return on the chartered flight to Abuja.

According to the witness, investigators established that the arrangement coincided with the expiration of Sirika’s tenure as aviation minister, which ended on May 29, 2023.

He added that the aircraft spent less than 72 hours in Abuja before the Nigeria Air branding was removed and the plane was returned to Ethiopian Airlines in Addis Ababa.

The EFCC investigator also revealed that the charter agreement was signed on May 24, 2023, just five days before the end of the administration, despite the project being publicly presented as part of efforts to launch a national carrier.

Odofin told the court that Ethiopian Airlines supplied the relevant documents through a letter dated June 12, 2023, in response to an EFCC request for information relating to the Nigeria Air initiative.

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During the proceedings, the prosecution tendered several documentary and electronic exhibits, including a compact disc said to contain a voice note attributed to Sirika.

The exhibits were admitted without objection from defence counsel. Following this, the prosecution requested permission for the audio recording to be played at the next hearing.

Justice Oriji subsequently adjourned the matter for continuation of the trial.