Nigeria Air Fraud Trial: Sirika Used Ethiopian Jet for Show

Prosecution Testimony in Nigeria Air Fraud Trial

A prosecution witness in the ongoing Nigeria Air fraud trial has testified that a chartered Ethiopian Airlines chartered aircraft was presented to the public as a functional national carrier to serve political optics. The revelation emerged during the trial of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, held at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja. Christopher Odofin, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), detailed how the aircraft was displayed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (ABV) in late May 2023 under false pretenses.

The Hadi Sirika EFCC investigation alleges that the former minister orchestrated the display of the aircraft, adorned in Nigeria Air livery, to suggest the airline had commenced operations just days before the administration of Muhammadu Buhari concluded. According to Odofin, the charter agreement explicitly limited the aircraft's presence in Abuja to a static display between May 27 and May 28, 2023, before its return to Addis Ababa (ADD) on May 29, 2023.

Financial Irregularities and Contract Awards

Beyond the ceremonial display, the EFCC testimony highlighted significant financial concerns. The prosecution alleges that over N2 billion in public funds were misappropriated during the project's development. Central to these allegations is the Tianaero Nigeria Limited contract, which was initially awarded for N299 million in April 2022 and subsequently expanded to over N599 million. Odofin testified that evidence recovered from the phone of a former Permanent Secretary suggested Sirika personally directed the award of this contract to a company linked to his close associate, Gabriel Tilmann.

Stakeholder Impact and Industry Context

The Nigeria Air project has faced significant skepticism from the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), who previously launched legal challenges against the project's structure. The current trial validates concerns regarding the transparency of the public-private partnership model utilized by the ministry. For Ethiopian Airlines, the involvement in a high-profile ceremonial charter that was later misrepresented to the public has invited scrutiny regarding their role in the project’s optics. Meanwhile, Nigerian taxpayers remain the primary victims, with over N2 billion in public capital tied to the controversial venture.

Historical Precedents in Nigerian Aviation

The collapse of the Nigeria Air initiative mirrors historical failures in the Nigerian aviation sector. In 2003, the liquidation of Nigeria Airways left a void in the market that successive administrations have struggled to fill. Similarly, the 2012 closure of Air Nigeria—which suffered from severe financial mismanagement and tax allegations—serves as a reminder of the systemic risks associated with state-sponsored flag carriers in the region. The current trial represents a turning point in the oversight of national carrier projects, which have historically been plagued by political interference and opaque procurement processes.

Inside the EFCC Investigative Evidence

The prosecution's case relies heavily on documentary evidence, including the charter agreement and electronic communications. The agreement required Ethiopian Airlines crew members to operate the flight while local models wore Nigeria Air uniforms for promotional photography. This orchestrated display was designed to create the illusion of a launch, despite the lack of operational readiness. The court has admitted a compact disc containing a voice note allegedly recorded by Sirika, which the prosecution claims contains direct instructions regarding the awarding of the Tianaero contract.

What Comes Next: The June 2026 Trial Milestone

The trial is scheduled to continue on June 17, 2026, at the FCT High Court. The upcoming session will focus on the presentation of audio evidence, specifically the playing of the voice note obtained from the former Permanent Secretary's device. This milestone is critical for the prosecution as it seeks to establish a direct link between Sirika’s directives and the alleged financial misappropriation. The defense maintains that the project followed due process and was overseen by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, a position the court will continue to evaluate as the trial proceeds.

Why This Matters for Aviation Governance

The trial serves as a significant case study in the risks of optics-driven aviation milestones. By prioritizing ceremonial displays over genuine operational infrastructure, the project highlights how governance failures can erode public trust and result in the loss of significant public capital. For the aviation industry, the proceedings signal a move toward greater accountability for state-led projects and serve as a warning to stakeholders involved in opaque public-private partnerships.