The 12th prosecution witness in the trial of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, on Wednesday told Justice S. C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, how the former minister allegedly presented an aircraft belonging to Ethiopian Airlines as the proposed Nigeria Air project initiated under the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to a statement issued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the aircraft, bearing Nigeria Air colours, appeared on the tarmac of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on May 27, 2023, three days before the expiration of the Buhari administration.

The aircraft was flown back to Addis Ababa on the morning of May 29, 2023, the day power was transferred to a new administration.

Sirika is being prosecuted alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, his son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited on amended six-count charges bordering on alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of more than ₦2 billion.

According to the EFCC, the contract for establishing Nigeria Air was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited, owned by Gabriel Tilmann, described as a close associate and friend of the former minister.

Reading from the agreement with Ethiopian Airlines, the witness stated that the aircraft was scheduled to depart Addis Ababa on May 26, 2023, arrive in Abuja on May 27, remain on static display until May 28, and return to Ethiopia on May 29.

He further revealed that Ethiopian Airlines crew operated the chartered flight in their regular uniforms, while local models could be dressed in Nigeria Air uniforms for ceremonial photographs.

The witness told the court that the display was deliberately timed to coincide with the end of Sirika’s tenure and create the impression that his promise to revive Nigeria Air had been fulfilled.

According to the witness, after less than 72 hours on display, the Nigeria Air branding was removed and the aircraft returned to Ethiopia.

The witness also disclosed that investigations established that Ethiopian Airlines entered into a three-day charter arrangement solely for the display of the Nigeria Air livery, based on documents supplied by the airline in response to an EFCC request dated June 12, 2023.

He further stated that although the contract for the establishment of Nigeria Air had been awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited for more than ₦299 million on April 4, 2022, it was later increased to over ₦599 million on October 17, 2022, allegedly on the instructions of the former minister.

According to him, investigators reached this conclusion after analysing the phone of Enitan Muyiwa Abel, then Permanent Secretary in the ministry, which allegedly contained a voice note sent by Sirika from Spain directing that the contract be awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited.

Justice Oriji adjourned the case until June 17, 2026, for continuation of the trial.