Hadi Sirika Faces Trial Over Nigeria Air Fraud Allegations

Hadi Sirika, the former Minister of Aviation, is facing prosecution for allegedly misappropriating over N2 billion in connection with the Nigeria Air project. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) informed the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that Sirika rented an Ethiopian Airlines plane for a three-day static display at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from May 27 to May 29, 2023.

The aircraft, which bore the Nigeria Air livery, was chartered just five days before Sirika left office. Christoph Odofin, the EFCC investigator, testified that the display coincided with the end of Sirika's tenure and was intended to present the Nigeria Air project to the public.

The aircraft was flown back to Ethiopia shortly after the display. Sirika is being prosecuted alongside his daughter, Fatima Sirika, his son-in-law, Hamma Sule, and Tianaero Nigeria Limited, a company linked to Gabriel Tilmann.

The EFCC has submitted various documents, including voice notes allegedly from Sirika, as evidence in the ongoing trial.