A prosecution witness told a federal court how former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika allegedly used an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft to simulate the launch of Nigeria Air in 2023. The testimony came during Sirika's trial on charges of abuse of office and misappropriation of over N2 billion.
Christopher Odofin, the 12th prosecution witness and an EFCC investigator, gave evidence on June 10, 2026, before Justice S.C. Oriji at the FCT High Court in Abuja. He described how an Ethiopian Airlines plane bearing Nigeria Air livery was positioned at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on May 27, 2023, for a static display lasting less than 72 hours before returning to Addis Ababa on May 29. Odofin read from a charter agreement signed on May 24, 2023, which detailed the aircraft's movement from Addis Ababa and specified that Ethiopian crew would operate the flight in their uniforms. The display was arranged through Tianaero Nigeria Limited, the firm awarded the Nigeria Air contract. Sirika faces a six-count EFCC charge alongside his daughter Fatima Hadi Sirika, son-in-law Hamma Jalal Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited. The prosecution also tendered documents and a compact disk with a voice note from Sirika, which the court will hear at the next hearing.
