On Wednesday, while appearing before Justice S.C. Oriji in the trial of the ex-minister and three others, Christopher Odofin, the twelfth prosecution witness, made the revelation.
Sirika is facing six counts in the amended indictment, all of which pertain to allegations of abuse of power and the theft of more than N2 billion in public monies, brought up by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Fatima Hadi Sirika, his daughter, Hamma Jalal Sule, his son-in-law, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited are all defendants in his trial.
If what Odofin says is true, then on May 27, 2023—just three days before former President Muhammadu Buhari’s term came to a close—an aeroplane flying the Nigeria Air flag landed at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The plane made a quick stop in Abuja for a display before taking off for Addis Ababa on May 29, 2023, according to the witness.
Based on the materials shown before the court, Odofin explained that the plan called for a chartered Ethiopian Airlines plane to fly into Abuja so the Nigeria Air logo could be displayed.
The plane will remain at Abuja Airport until May 28, 2023, to show off the Nigeria Air livery. The paper stated, in part, that the aircraft is scheduled to depart from Abuja Airport in the early hours of May 29, 2023.
Aside from the fact that the plane was flown by employees of Ethiopian Airlines, Odofin informed the court that the show was timed to mark Sirika’s departure as Minister of Aviation.
He stated that a few days before the administration’s conclusion, on May 24, 2023, the charter deal with Ethiopian Airlines was entered into, as shown by investigations.
According to the witness, the branding of Nigeria Air was erased and the aircraft departed for Ethiopia after the exhibition period.
Additionally, he informed the court that investigators got documents from Ethiopian Airlines after the airline responded to an EFCC request for information regarding the Nigeria Air project.
Without any objections from the defence team, all of the prosecution’s papers were admitted.
A CD with what appears to be Sirika’s voice recording was one of the items accepted by the court.
During the next adjourned sitting, the prosecution told the court that the recording will be played.