Di 12th prosecution witness for di trial of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, don tell court how di minister allegedly use Ethiopian Airlines aircraft pretend say na Nigeria Air wey di government of late President Muhammadu Buhari promise.
Di witness, wey be investigator for Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, give evidence before Justice S. C. Oriji of Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to statement from EFCC, di decoy aircraft wey dem put Nigeria Air logo land for Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on May 27, 2023, just three days before Buhari government tenure expire.
Di plane comot go back to Addis Ababa on morning of May 29, 2023, wey be di handover date to new government.
Sirika dey face prosecution on amended six-count charges wey include abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds wey reach over ₦2 billion, alongside im daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.
Di witness read from contract agreement with Ethiopian Airlines, wey show say di aircraft go depart from Addis Ababa late evening of May 26, 2023, for early morning positioning on May 27, 2023, for Abuja airport.
Di aircraft go stay for Abuja airport for static display of Nigeria Air livery until May 28, 2023, and go leave early morning on May 29, 2023.
Di chartered flight go be operated by Ethiopian Airline crew in Ethiopian Airline uniform, but di Federal Government of Nigeria and Nigeria Air fit put local models wey go wear Nigeria Air uniforms to pose for ceremonial pictures.
Di witness tell court say di display of di aircraft for Abuja International Airport na deliberate plan to coincide with end of first defendant’s tenure as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development on May 29, 2023, and to pass di aircraft off as actualisation of im promise of return of Nigeria Air.
After less than 72 hours display, dem remove Nigeria Air logo from di aircraft and fly am back to Ethiopian Airlines for Addis Ababa.
Di witness further disclose say investigating team dey able to ascertain say Ethiopian Airlines enter charter arrangement for static display of Nigeria Air livery for just three days, from May 27 to May 29, 2023, based on information and documents from di airline.
Di charter agreement with Ethiopian Airlines na on May 24, 2023, five days to expiration of defendant’s tenure, for just static display of Nigeria Air logo on aircraft.
All documents wey prosecution tender for evidence show say dem sign, authorize, and accompany with certificates of identification, and nobody object to am.
Among di exhibits na compact disc wey get voice note from first defendant, Hadi Sirika, wey dem mark as Exhibit 37, and prosecution counsel apply to play am for court on next adjourned date.
Di witness also tell court say contract for start-up of Nigeria Air, wey dem award to Tianaero Nigeria Limited for over ₦299 million on April 4, 2022, see contract extension award to di company on October 17, 2022, to sum exceeding ₦599 million on instructions and directives of first defendant, based on im relationship with di company’s alter ego.
According to am, di investigating team arrive at dis position when dem analyze phone of one Enitan Muyiwa Abel, wey be Permanent Secretary in first defendant’s ministry, wey show voice note send to di Permanent Secretary while first defendant dey Spain, instructing am to ensure say dem award di contract to Tianaero Nigeria Limited.
Justice Oriji adjourn di matter till June 17, 2026 for continuation of trial.
