EFCC investigator tells Abuja court aircraft was chartered for three-day display to simulate launch of national carrier days before Buhari-era exit

Fresh revelations have emerged in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, as a prosecution witness told a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft was allegedly presented as Nigeria Air in a planned deception.

Testifying before Justice S.C. Oriji on Wednesday, the 12th prosecution witness, Christopher Odofin, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), detailed how the aircraft was allegedly used to create the impression that the long-promised national carrier had materialised.

According to Odofin, the aircraft—painted in Nigeria Air livery—arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on May 27, 2023, just days before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. It was, however, returned to Addis Ababa on May 29, 2023, the same day power changed hands.

Reading from a contract agreement with Ethiopian Airlines, the witness explained that the aircraft was specifically chartered for a short-term “static display” in Abuja. The arrangement, he said, included Ethiopian crew operating the flight while individuals dressed in Nigeria Air uniforms were to pose for ceremonial photographs.

“The aircraft will stay in Abuja airport for static display of Nigeria Air livery until May 28, 2023 and depart on May 29,” Odofin quoted from the agreement, adding that the plan also involved the use of local models to enhance the visual presentation of a functioning national airline.

He told the court that the timing of the display was deliberately aligned with the end of Sirika’s tenure, allegedly to suggest the fulfilment of a key government promise. After less than 72 hours, the Nigeria Air branding was reportedly removed and the aircraft returned to Ethiopian Airlines.

Odofin further disclosed that investigations confirmed the charter agreement with Ethiopian Airlines was signed on May 24, 2023—just five days before the end of Sirika’s tenure—and was limited to the temporary display of the airline’s branding rather than operational launch activities.

Sirika is being prosecuted by the EFCC on an amended six-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of over N2 billion. He is standing trial alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika; his son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule; and a company, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.

The court also heard that the contract for establishing Nigeria Air was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited, reportedly linked to a close associate of the former minister.

All documents presented by the prosecution were admitted into evidence without objection from the defence. Among them is a compact disc containing a voice recording attributed to Sirika, which the prosecution plans to play at the next adjourned hearing.

The trial continues.