The 12th Prosecution Witness, Christopher Odofin, testified on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, before Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja regarding the alleged fraudulent activities of former Aviation Minister Hadi Abubakar Sirika. According to the witness, Sirika orchestrated a scheme to pass off an aircraft belonging to Ethiopian Airlines as the promised Nigeria Air, a project initiated by the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Deceptive Display at Abuja Airport
The aircraft, painted with the livery of the proposed Nigeria Air, was positioned at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on May 27, 2023, just three days before the end of the Buhari government's tenure. It was flown back to Addis Ababa on the morning of May 29, 2023, the day of the handover to the successor government. The witness explained that this display was deliberately timed to coincide with the expiration of Sirika's term as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, creating a false impression that the Nigeria Air project had been realized.
Details of the Charter Agreement
Odofin, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), read from a contract agreement with Ethiopian Airlines. The agreement stated that the aircraft would depart Addis Ababa late on May 26, 2023, arrive in Abuja early on May 27 for static display, and remain until May 28. It would then depart early on May 29. The flight was to be operated by Ethiopian Airlines crew in their uniforms, while the Federal Government of Nigeria and Nigeria Air could involve local models in Nigeria Air uniforms for ceremonial photos. The witness noted that the charter agreement was signed on May 24, 2023, just five days before the end of Sirika's tenure, and was solely for the static display of the Nigeria Air logo.
EFCC Investigation Findings
The EFCC is prosecuting Sirika on a six-count amended charge, including abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds exceeding N2 billion. His daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited are also defendants. The contract for establishing Nigeria Air was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited, owned by Gabriel Tilmann, a close associate of the former minister. The witness disclosed that the investigation team confirmed, through documents from Ethiopian Airlines, that the charter was for a mere three-day static display. All documents presented as evidence were duly signed and accompanied by certificates of identification, with no objections from defense counsels.
Key Exhibits
Among the exhibits is a compact disk containing a voice note from Hadi Sirika, marked Exhibit 37. The prosecution has requested that this audio be played in court at the next adjourned date. The case continues as the court seeks to uncover the full extent of the alleged fraud.
