Fresh details emerged on Wednesday in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Hadi Sirika, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that the aircraft unveiled as Nigeria Air in May 2023 was actually a short-term chartered plane from Ethiopian Airlines used for a ceremonial display.
The EFCC made the disclosure through its 12th prosecution witness, Christopher Odofin, who testified before Justice S.C. Oriji in the case involving Sirika and three others over alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds estimated at over N2 billion.
Odofin told the court that the aircraft, which was publicly presented in Nigeria Air livery at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was not part of any operational national carrier but was hired strictly for a brief exhibition lasting less than 72 hours.
According to him, documents obtained from Ethiopian Airlines confirmed that the aircraft departed Addis Ababa on May 26, 2023, arrived in Abuja on May 27 for the unveiling event, and returned on May 29, 2023 — the same day Sirika exited office.
He further stated that the charter agreement clearly defined the arrangement as a temporary display exercise, adding that the aircraft was operated by Ethiopian Airlines crew and returned immediately after the scheduled presentation period.
“The aircraft will remain in Abuja airport for static display of Nigeria Air livery until May 28, 2023, and will depart on May 29, 2023,” part of the agreement reportedly stated.
The witness alleged that the timing of the unveiling was deliberately aligned with the end of the former minister’s tenure, describing the event as more symbolic than substantive.
Odofin also told the court that after the display, the Nigeria Air branding was removed before the aircraft was flown back to Ethiopia.
He added that the EFCC’s investigation revealed that the charter arrangement was executed just days before Sirika left office and was strictly limited to the ceremonial presentation of the proposed national carrier.
The witness further linked consultancy contracts awarded under the Nigeria Air project to alleged irregularities, stating that Tianaero Nigeria Limited was initially awarded a contract worth over N299 million, later expanded to more than N599 million.
He alleged that the contract extension was influenced by directives linked to the former minister, citing evidence including voice notes recovered from the phone of a senior ministry official.
During proceedings, the prosecution tendered several documents, including a compact disc containing an alleged voice recording attributed to Sirika. The court admitted the materials as evidence without objection from the defence.
The trial was subsequently adjourned for continuation of hearing and playback of the audio evidence, as the EFCC continues its prosecution of the former minister and other defendants.
The case remains part of broader investigations into the controversial Nigeria Air project, which has continued to generate public and legal scrutiny since its unveiling in 2023.