ABUJA, Nigeria — A prosecution witness has told a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja that former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika allegedly used an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft, temporarily repainted in Nigeria Air livery, to stage the public launch of the proposed national carrier.
Okay News reports that the testimony was given on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, during proceedings before Justice S.C. Oriji in the ongoing trial of Sirika and other defendants, according to a statement issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
EFCC investigator Christopher Odofin, testifying as the 12th Prosecution Witness, told the court that the aircraft used for the Nigeria Air unveiling did not belong to the Nigerian government or the proposed national carrier, but was operated by Ethiopian Airlines under a short-term charter arrangement.
“PW12, Christopher Odofin, in the trial of the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, told Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja, how Sirika allegedly passed off an aircraft belonging to Ethiopian Airlines as that of the promised Nigeria Air by the government of the late President Muhammadu Buhari,” the EFCC statement read.
Odofin told the court that the aircraft was temporarily repainted in Nigeria Air livery and displayed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in what he described as a static display meant to present the impression of a launched national carrier. The aircraft was returned to Ethiopia after approximately two days, following the conclusion of the unveiling activities.
The testimony indicated that the arrangement included photo sessions and coordinated branding to support the public presentation of Nigeria Air as operational. Investigations presented in court suggested that the aircraft remained under full ownership and operational control of Ethiopian Airlines throughout the period it was in Nigeria.
Documentation reviewed by investigators showed that the agreement for the aircraft display was signed just days before the end of Sirika’s tenure as minister. Once the aircraft returned to Addis Ababa, the Nigeria Air branding was removed.
The EFCC is prosecuting Sirika alongside his daughter, son-in-law, and other entities on amended charges involving alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds running into over N2 billion (approximately $1.3 million).
The Nigeria Air project was first announced on July 18, 2018, under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as an effort to revive the defunct Nigerian Airways, with initial setup costs estimated at $8.8 million and full take-off costs at $300 million. The project was suspended months later due to concerns over its financial viability and structure.
Ethiopian Airlines emerged as the preferred bidder to manage the airline in 2022, holding a 49% stake in the proposed structure. Nigeria Air was publicly launched in May 2023 under Sirika, though questions were subsequently raised about its operational readiness.
The arrangement reportedly required Nigeria to commit approximately $112 million over three years for aircraft usage. Key leadership positions including CEO and CFO roles were reportedly to be controlled by Ethiopian Airlines under the agreement framework.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has indicated plans to support the emergence of two to three local airlines as potential flag carriers, though no specific airlines have been named.
