‘Sirika shouldn’t fool Nigerians’ — group asks EFCC to probe Nigeria Air project

SecureWorld and Liberty Initiative for Peace (SELIP), an anti-corruption group, says the establishment of Nigeria Air should be investigated.

In a petition signed by Mark Adebay, executive director of SELIP,  the group said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should probe Hadi Sirika, the immediate past minister of aviation.

The petition was addressed to Abdulrasheed Bawa, EFCC chairman.

SELIP expressed its disappointment at the unveiling of an aircraft on Friday in Abuja despite an existing court order restraining the minister from taking any action regarding the project.

Adebayo said the unveiling was a “desperate act”, alleging that the minister “imported a repainted” an aircraft owned by Ethiopian Airlines.

“We are compelled to bring to your attention that the aircraft purportedly unveiled on Friday, May 26, 2023, by Minister Sirika, as the first flight of the national carrier, Nigeria Air, is still in active service of Ethiopia Airlines,” the petition reads. 

“We can confirm that the aircraft, a Boeing 737-800  with the registration number  ET-APL,  has since left the country this weekend for Turkey according to a check on the flight radar; it only transited Nigeria for the farce of a show put up by the minister. The flight landing in the country with Ethiopia Airlines’ registration number means Nigeria Air has no Air Operator Certificate (AOC). 

“No aircraft can be registered in Nigeria without the carrier having an AOC which means that the aircraft does not belong to Nigeria Air either as leased or owned equipment. So, Sirika should not be allowed to fool Nigerians. “

‘MINISTER MUST ACCOUNT FOR N15.9BN SPENT’

SELIP asked EFCC to make Sirika account for N15.9 billion allegedly committed to the project by the federal government. 

“The minister must not be allowed to hoodwink Nigerians with the ‘importation of a rented aircraft into the country and pass it off as a step to the commencement of the operation of the airline days to his exit from office. This act of fraud and economic terrorism must not be allowed to go unpunished,” the group said.

“There’s no agreement with the stakeholders in Nigeria, so on what basis has a painted plane been brought in to deceive Nigerians?

“The lack of transparency on funding and alleged zero consideration for local players and national interest is frightening as the proposed shareholders’ agreement which is yet to be signed, reserves all executive directors positions for the Ethiopians with Nigerians as deputies.”

SELIP urged the anti-graft agency to probe the 3 percent of the total shares allocated to  Fairfax Limited which was appointed as the transaction adviser to the project.

The CSO added that the project could undermine the efforts of the incoming administration.