New details have emerged in the ongoing N2 billion fraud trial of former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, painting a vivid picture of how a chartered Ethiopian Airlines aircraft was allegedly used as a “decoy” to trick Nigerians into believing the defunct national carrier, Nigeria Air, had officially launched.
Testifying before Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, the 12th Prosecution Witness (PW12), Christopher Odofin, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), unveiled the logistics behind what has been described as a multi-billion naira theatrical display.
A Three-Day Mirage on the Tarmac
According to the EFCC investigator, the controversial aircraft—adorned with Nigeria Air livery—landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on May 27, 2023. The timing was highly strategic, arriving just three days before the expiration of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. By the morning of May 29, 2023—the official handover date—the plane was already flying back to Addis Ababa, after which the temporary Nigeria Air logos were stripped off.
Reading directly from the charter agreement secured from Ethiopian Airlines, Odofin exposed the premeditated nature of the exhibition:
“The aircraft will depart from Addis Ababa (ADD) late evening of May 26, 2023, for it to be positioned early morning of May 27, 2023, at the Abuja (ABV) airport… The chartered flight will be operated by the Ethiopian Airline crew in Ethiopian Airline uniform. 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.”
The charter agreement, signed on May 24, 2023—merely five days before Sirika left office—was explicitly for a “static display” rather than an active commercial rollout, costing taxpayers massive public funds for less than 72 hours of optics.
Inflated Contracts and Voice Note Evidence
The prosecution’s testimony further connected the dots regarding how contracts for the project were allegedly manipulated. The initial start-up contract for Nigeria Air was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited—a company linked to Gabriel Tilmann, a close associate of Sirika—for ₦299 million on April 4, 2022.
By October 17, 2022, the contract was inflated via an extension to over ₦599 million. The EFCC revealed that forensic analysis of a phone belonging to Enitan Muyiwa Abel, a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, uncovered a damning voice note sent by Sirika from Spain, explicitly instructing that the contract be steered toward Tianaero Nigeria Limited.
The Trial So Far
Sirika is currently facing an amended six-count charge bordering on abuse of office and the misappropriation of over ₦2 billion in public funds. He is being prosecuted alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika; his son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule; and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.
All documents and forensic certificates tendered by the EFCC were admitted into evidence without objection from the defense counsels. The prosecution is expected to play the audio recordings, including the critical voice note marked Exhibit 37, when the court resumes.
Justice Oriji has adjourned the trial till June 17, 2026, for the continuation of proceedings.
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