The documents confirmed that they are currently employees of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd, NNPCL, and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, respectively.

Sirika alongside his daughter, Fatima and son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule and Al-Buraq Investment Limited are charged with N2.7 billion fraud before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.

Sirika, the EFCC alleged, abused his office as minister by conferring unfair advantage on Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, whose alter ego are his daughter and son-in-law, by using his position to influence the award of the contract for the apron extension at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1.4 billion.

This, the prosecution stated, is contrary to the provisions of Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 as well as Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532 Acts of the Federal Capital Territory and punishable under the same sections.

The minister had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

At the resumed hearing, the prosecution presented its 10th and 11th witnesses (PW10 and PW11), to prove that both second and third defendants are currently on the staff list of both NNPCL and NUPRC respectively.

Testifying, the PW10, Gabriel Adaba, told the court while being led in his evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, that Sule was employed as a Regulatory Officer 1 on Grade Level 9 by the NUPRC on February 3, 2023.

Adaba, who is NUPRC’s Head, Licensing and Permit, told the court that as of the time of Sule’s employment by the commission, he (PW10) was the Head of Human Resources in the agency.

He said that in March 14, 2024, the EFCC requested the NUPRC to furnish it with Sule’s employment records.

“As Head, Human Resources, it was my responsibility to appear before the commission to do that. On that day, I was at EFCC to submit his (Sule’s) employment records,” he said.

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He added that prior to his employment by the NUPRC, Sule had worked with the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency, NNRA.

Under cross examination by counsel for Sirika and Al Buraq, Michael Numa, SAN, Adaba told the court that NUPRC did background checks on Sule in line with its Human Resources practices.

He, however, said the commission did not investigate individual employee’s private life, including their private holdings.

The witness further told the court that Sule was confirmed as a staff member of NUPRC on March 5, 2024, one year after his employment by the commission.

He added that he was not aware if Al Buraq was awarded any contracts by the commission.

While being cross examined by both counsel for Fatima and Sule, Efut Okoi and Sunusi Musa, SAN, respectively, the PW10 told the court that there were no records that Sule was found wanting at NNRA .

On his part, the PW11, Abidoye Babatunde, the Deputy Manager of Policy Compliance and Accountability with the NNPCL, told the court that in 2024 the EFCC requested information on Sirika’s daughter, Fatima.

He said that the company obliged the anti-graft agency with the request and forwarded the information requested with a covering letter.

According to the witness, Fatima was employed as a graduate trainee on February 14, 2020 by NNPCL.

He added while his employment was confirmed on May 4, 2021, adding that she was promoted to next grade level on January 1, 2023.

Under cross examination, the PW11 told the court that EFCC invited Fatima through the NNPCL.

He added that he was not told what she was being investigated for when he submitted the information demanded by the Commission as the Acting Deputy Manager, Employee Compensation and Performance.

The witness said that he was not privy to her private holding outside NNPCL, adding that the second defendant could not have been confirmed by NNPCL if she had not suitably performed.

After their testimonies, Justice Oriji adjourned until June 30 for continuation of hearing.

Source: NAN

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, charged Sirika and his brother, Ahmad, and two companies with abuse of office and contract fraud.

The contract was for the construction of the terminal building at Katsina Airport.

Yesufu, who is a prosecution witness, said this in his evidence at the trial of the former minister that the BPP was not aware of the split in contract.

They are being prosecuted on a 10-count charge before Justice Suleiman Belgore, bordering on abuse of office, criminal breach of trust, and use of position for gratification.

The anti-graft commission alleged that the former minister awarded various contracts to his younger brother to the tune of about N19.4 billion.

The EFCC alleged that Sirika did confer an unfair advantage upon Enginos Nigeria Limited whose alter ego is his biological brother, Ahmad, by using his position to influence the award of a contract for the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport to tune of N1, 345,586,500.

It further alleged that the former minister used his position to influence the award of a contract for the establishment of Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport for the sum of N3, 811,497,685.

It also, among others, alleged that Ahmad and Enginos Nigeria Limited had possession of the aggregate sum of N2,337,840,674.16 which they knew indirectly represented the proceeds of criminal conduct of the former minister.

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The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.

Testifying, Yesufu told the court that a bidder for any contract must submit an affidavit stating that the company did not have any relationship with the procuring entity.

“If there is a relationship this shall amount to a conflict of interest and should be disclosed.

“The affected officer of either the procuring entity or the BPP will recuse himself from participating in the process (of award of contract),” Yesufu told the court.

He said that in the case of the award of a contract for the construction of a terminal building for the Katsina airport, the ministry of aviation sought approval to adopt a restricted tendering method due to time constraints.

He added that approval was granted in favour of five companies, including Enginos Nigeria Limited.

Yesufu further told the court that after the approval was granted, the ministry completed the procurement process and awarded two contracts:

One of the contracts was in favour of Enginos, and the second was in favour of Al-Buraq according to him.

“The Bureau was not aware how a single contract, titled, “Construction of Katsina airport terminal building and Apron was eventually awarded as two separate contracts.

“I became aware of the split of the contract when I was invited by EFCC, where I made the statement,” he said.

The witness told the court that Enginos Nigeria Limited was awarded the contract to construct the Katsina airport terminal building at a cost of N1 345 586 500.

At this point, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), prayed for an adjournment to enable him to sort out some documents, to which the other parties did not object.

Justice Belgore subsequently, adjourned until April 8 to continue PW3’s evidence.

Source: NAN

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The witness, Isaiah Yusuf, who testified as EFCC 4th witness (PW4) said this in his testimony on alleged N2.7 billion against Sirika and three others.

The EFCC dragged him alongside his daughter, Fatima; Jalal Sule Hamma and Al-Duraq Investment Limited, for abuse of office and contract fraud.

They are standing trial before Justice Sylvanus Orji on six counts.

The minister who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari was accused of abusing his office as minister through the award of contracts to a company in which his daughter and her husband had interest.

The offence allegedly committed by the former minister and others, according to the prosecution, were contrary to Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, to Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

In addition, Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532 Acts of the Federal Capital Territory and punishable under the same sections.

Yusuf who was led on evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, said he was Director, Procurement, Bureau Public Procurement, BPP.

He said on March 16, 2022 a letter was received from the Ministry of Aviation requesting for letter of ‘no objection’ to enable the ministry award contracts with restricted publicity.

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He told the court that the contract was below N1.5 billion, which the ministerial tender board could approve.

The witness added that if the amount was above the N1.5billion, the BPP would issue ‘certificate of no objection’ that would enable the ministry or agency request to proceed to Federal Executive Council, FEC, for approval.

Yusuf further said that after the approval was given, it would go back to the ministry or agency that placed the request.

“The Ministry of Aviation wrote two letters to BPP dated May 16 and May 17 requesting for ‘due process no objection’ for restricted advertisement for bidders.

“The ministry brought names of selected companies,  five in number  for  the building of terminal and extension of Katsina Airport.

“BPP approved the five listed companies for the contract for N800 million but Al-Duraq Global Investment Limited and Apron Expansion were not on the list,” he told the court.

Yusuf told the court that by the time the approval was given to the ministry, the BPP received any communication.

“It was when the EFCC contacted the BPP that we got to know that the project was split into two with costs at N1.4 billion and N1.3 billion.

“The BPP Act, section 16(6) must be strictly adhered to before bidders can be awarded contracts.

“The actual cost of the project brought to the BPP for evaluation was N800 million…

“We do not know how the project turned into two contracts and how the Al-Duraq Global Investment Limited and Apron Expansion were awarded the contract,” the witness said.

Meanwhile, Justice Oriji adjourned until July 5, for cross-examination of the witness.

Source: NAN

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They were slated to be arraigned before Justice Suleman Belgore, but the arraignment was stalled due to the absence of Sirika and his brother in court.

EFCC had filed an eight-count charge bordering on abuse of office, criminal breach of trust, use of position for gratification against the former minister, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, his brother and a company, Enginos Nigeria Limited.

The anti-corruption commission had alleged that Sirika did confer unfair advantage upon Enginos Nigeria Limited, whose alter ego is his biological brother, Ahmad, by using his position to influence the award of contract for the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1,345,586,500.

EFCC further alleged that the former minister used his position to influence the award of contract for the establishment of Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport for the sum of N3,811,497,685.

It also, among others, alleged that Ahmad and Enginos Nigeria Limited had possession of an aggregate sum of N2,337,840,674.16 which they knew indirectly represented the proceeds of criminal conducts of the former minister.

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The offences, according to the EFCC, were committed in Abuja between August, 2022 and May, 2023.

According to EFCC, the offences were contrary to the provisions of Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000; Section 17(b) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004 as well as Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Acts of the Federal Capital Territory and punishable under the same Acts.

When the case was called earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed the court that the defendants were not in court.

According to him, the defendants’ counsel had informed him that the defendants were not in Abuja, adding that they were even yet to be served the charges filed against them in court.

Atolagbe further informed the court that the defendants were not in EFCC custody having been granted administrative bail.

He, however, told the court that the prosecution would be amending the charge against the defendants earlier filed before the court.

Counsel for the defendants, Olaniyi Anjorin, confirmed to the court that what Atolagbe said about his clients was correct.

Following the prosecution’s request for an adjournment to enable the defendants attend court to take their plea, Justice Belgore adjourned until May 23 for arraignment of the former minister and others.

EFCC had on May 9 arraigned Sirika alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, son-in-law, Jalal Sule Hamma and Al Daruq Investment Limited before Justice Sylvanus Oriji, also of the FCT High Court, Maitama on an alleged N4.1 billion contract fraud.

The four defendant were charged with offences bordering on contract fraud, corruption and gratification.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them by EFCC.

Following their not-guilty pleas, Justice Oriji subsequently admitted each of them to a bail in the sum of N100 million with two sureties each in like sum.

The judge ruled that each of their sureties must depose to affidavit of means, while one of the two sureties for each of them must possess landed property within the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, covered by valid Certificate of Occupancy duly signed by the FCT Minister.

Source: NAN

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned the former aviation minister, Hadi Sirika, before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Maitama on a six- count amended charge.

Also arraigned are Sirika’s daughter, Fatima; Jalal Hamma and Al-Duraq Investment Ltd, for alleged abuse of office and fraudulent contracts award.

Delivering ruling in the case after their counsel had argued their bail application, and the prosecution did not object, Justice Oriji granted them bail.

“Bail is granted to each of the defendants 1st, 2nd and 3rd in sum of N100 million with two sureties.

“The sureties shall be responsible citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who are ordinarily resident in the Federal Capital Territory.

“Each surety shall have landed property within Abuja municipal area council covered by a valued certificate of occupancy issued by the FCT minister.

“The residential addresses of the sureties shall be verified by the Registrar of the court.

“The 1st to the 3rd defendants shall not travel out of the country while the charge is pending without the permission of the court .”

Justice Oriji added that if any of the three defendants were unable to fulfill the condition of the  bail, he or she shall be remanded in the Correctional service.

He then adjourned until June 10 for commencement of trial.

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Earlier, the details of the charges against them were reads as follows:

“That you HADI ABUBAKAR SIRIKA, while being the Minister of Aviation, between April, 2022 and March, 2023, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon TIANAERO NIGERIA LIMITED whose alter ego, PROF. GABRIEL TILMANN is your Associate, by using your position to influence the award to them, the Consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air Start-up and extension of same for the sum of N1,326,731,470.97 (One Billion, Three Hundred and Twenty Six Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty One Thousand, Four Hundred and Seventy Naira, Ninety seven kobo Only) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same section.”

“That you HADI ABUBAKAR SIRIKA, while being the Minister of Aviation, on or about 18 August, 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon AL BURAQ GLOBAL INVESTMENT LTD whose alter ego, FATIMA HADI SIRIKA and JALAL SULE HAMMA are your daughter and son-in-law respectively, by using your position to influence the award to them, the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1,498,300,750.00 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Three Hundred Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Naira Only) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act. 2000 and punishable under the same section.

“That you HADI ABUBAKAR SIRIKA, while being the Minister of Aviation and in such capacity as a public officer on or about 18 August, 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court entrusted with certain property to wit the sum of N1,498,300,750.00 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Three Hundred Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Naira Only), committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property by being dishonestly connected with the illegal award of contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport, to and for the benefit of AL BURAQ GLOBAL INVESTMENT LTD whose alter ego are FATIMA HADI SIRIKA and JALAL SULE HAΜΜΑ, your daughter and son-in-law respectively and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 315 of the Penal Code Act. Cap. 532. Acts of the Federal Capital Territory and punishable under the same section.

“That you HADI ABUBAKAR SIRIKA, while being the Minister of Aviation, FATIMA HADI SIRIKA while being a public servant and an employee of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. and JALAL SULE HAMMA while being a public servant and an employee of Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission on or about 18 August, 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did knowingly hold indirectly private interests in the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1,498,300,750.00 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety-Eight Million, Three Hundred Thousand, Seven Hundred and Fifty Naira Only) awarded to AL BURAQ GLOBAL INVESTMENT LTD whose alter ego are FATIMA HADI SIRIKA and JALAL SULE HAMMA, which contract was awarded on account of public service and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same section.

“That you FATIMA HADI SIRIKA, JALAL SULE HAMMA and AL BURAQ GLOBAL INVESTMENT LTD., between 2022 and 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had possession of an aggregate sum of N1,310,142,051.16 (One Billion, Three Hundred and Ten Million, One Hundred and Forty-Two Thousand, Fifty-one, Naira, Sixteen kobo Only) which sum you knew indirectly represented the proceeds of criminal conducts of HADI ABUBAKAR SIRIKA who was the Minister of Aviation at the time (to wit use of office or position for gratification in respect of the said amount), and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and punishable under the same section.”

They, however, pleaded not guilty to charges preferred against them.

Earlier, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, appeared for the prosecution, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN for Sirika and Mahmoud Magaji, SAN for Fatima (2nd defendant).

Others are Sanusi Musa, SAN for Jalal Hamma (3rd defendant) and Michael Numa for Al-Duraq Investment Ltd (4th defendant).

Source: NAN

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A reliable source from the commission, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the former minister was at the Federal Capital Territory command of the EFCC at about 1:00 pm on Tuesday.

Sirika is currently meeting with EFCC investigators to answer questions on the alleged fraudulent contracts awarded to Engirios Nigeria Ltd., allegedly owned by his younger brother, Abubakar Sirika.

The anti-graft commission is investigating the former minister over alleged conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation.

Others are criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to over N8.06 billion during his tenure as minister.

The sum is said to be payment made for four aviation contracts to the company.

Apart from being listed as the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abubakar was said to be the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts, domiciled in Zenith and Union Banks.

It was gathered that the ex-minister’s younger brother, was also arrested and detained by the commission in connection with N3.21 billion allegedly paid to Engirios Nigerian ltd., during Sirika’s tenure.

It was alleged that no trace of work was seen on any of the contract items to date.

Source: NAN

The post EFCC grills Sirika over alleged N8bn Nigeria Air fraud appeared first on Frontpageng.

Titled: ‘Controversy over Age, Cost of Presidential Jet’, it detailed how a fairly used aircraft was packaged and sold as new to Nigeria after huge sums of money in foreign currency was paid for it. Durojaiye, then Aviation Correspondent with Daily Independent, published the story on June 12, 2006, exactly 17 years today.

Another journalist, Gbenga Aruleba, of African Independent Television (AIT), escalated the matter when he chose the acquisition of the tokunbo aircraft as a topic for discussion on his programme.

Sirika has brought shame to the country and he should be made to account for the fraud that he made of the Nigeria Air project.

A livid President Obasanjo ordered the arrest and prosecution of both Durojaiye and Aruleba. The duo was arrested by the goons of the then-president and detained for a week before they were eventually charged to court. But the then Federal Government had to quickly beat a retreat when it discovered that it had no strong case against the reporters.

The same sordid scenario is about to repeat itself in the aviation industry, as the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has allegedly perpetrated another scam in the industry, and this time, taking the entirety of Nigerians for a ride. Riding on the desire of former President Muhammadu Buhari to establish a national carrier for the country, Sirika, either due to ignorance, greed, or no proper knowledge of the industry, went about it in the most shambolic manner.  Although a trained pilot, it beggars belief that Sirika thought that he could pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerians in the manner he went about the national carrier project.

Establishing a national carrier is not rocket science that should be difficult to accomplish for a nation like Nigeria. Buhari, on assumption of office in 2015, listed the establishment of a national carrier that would replace the defunct Nigeria Airways as one of his top priorities, having been around long enough to witness the glorious era of the defunct Nigeria Airways as a military Head of State between 1983 and 1984.

Indeed, Nigeria Airways was a pride to many Nigerians at its glorious height. Established in 1958 after the dissolution of the West African Airways Corporation (WAAC), it retained the name, WAAC Nigeria, until 1971, when it was rebranded Nigeria Airways. Nigeria owned 51 per cent of shares in the company up till 1961 when it boosted its participation to 100 per cent and made it the national carrier.

It had more than 35 aircrafts in its fleet as of 1979 but by 1999 when President Olusegun Obasanjo returned as a civilian president, only one aircraft was in operation. Within 20 years, Nigeria had ‘happened’ to the airline as it has been plagued by mismanagement, corruption, and overstaffing. It had a debt of $528 million hanging on record as of 2003, when Obasanjo angrily liquidated the airline.

But the size of the country and the economic benefits to derive from such a venture make the establishment of a national carrier a priority for Buhari’s administration. A National Carrier offers huge potential for the economic growth of Nigeria as there are numerous bilateral and multilateral agreements the country has with several countries of the world which are not being utilized. Nigeria is a huge market that could serve as the hub of commercial flight operations in the West African sub-region.

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His government, in 2015, set up a committee headed by the current Rector of Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Mohammed Abdulsalam, to work out the modalities for the establishment of a national carrier for the nation. The committee did a good job and submitted its report to the federal government. It was time for the nation to carry out the task and the responsibility for the implementation of the report fell on Sirika, as head of the supervising Ministry. But the man had other plans on his mind that were apparently not too altruistic.

Trouble started in 2018 when Sirika unveiled Nigeria Air at Farnborough International Air Show in London. The unveiling was after the transaction advisers completed the Outline Business Case (OBC) Report, and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission review and issued OBC Certificate of Compliance. Many Nigerians in the aviation sector were shocked by the Minister’s action.

Soon, Sirika made public the structure of the proposed airline. A share structure of 49 per cent equity was allocated to Ethiopian Airlines, the only foreign partner that indicated interest in partnering with the country for the establishment of a national carrier.  Five per cent was allocated to the Federal Government while the remaining 46 per cent was said to have been owned by Nigerian investors. The names of those private investors were shrouded in secrecy until local airline operators went to court to challenge the action. Again, the amount of money and number of aircraft Ethiopian Airlines would inject into the venture was not made public, which left many Nigerians wondering why a whopping 49 per cent share structure was allocated to the airline.

The lack of transparency in the whole process has ensured that the dream of a national carrier remains just that –  a mere dream – as nothing much was achieved despite the yearly allocation to the project in the budget by the Aviation Ministry.  From 2019 to 2021, the airline has racked up appropriation votes of N14.65 billion, yet the Federal Government was meant to own only five per cent equity. The former Minister also recently said that only N400 million had been approved thus far. Yet, in the 2023 budget, the government is proposing N1.3 billion, with N700 million as “working capital” and N200 million as consultancy fees for the project.

The Ministry, after much pressure from local airline operators and other stakeholders, announced the trio of SAHCO, MRS, and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) as custodians of 46 per cent private sector equities. But barely 24 hours later, the ministry issued a rejoinder that NSIA was included in error.

There is nothing wrong with Ethiopian airline partnering with Nigeria to establish a national carrier for the country, although I’m guessing  stakeholders in the industry would have been more comfortable having a foreign airline from a non-African partnering with Nigeria to prevent undue rivalry with the national carrier for control of the industry in Africa.

Ethiopian Airlines is indeed the most successful African carrier and an advocate of African airlines competing with other foreign carriers to wrest the African market share, currently skewed in favour of European, American, and Gulf carriers by 80 per cent. Pursuant to its Vision 2035 to connect the nooks and crannies of the African airspace, the airline, 100 per cent owned by the Ethiopian government, already has major stakes and ownership in eight African countries. The airline recently listed Nigeria Air as its ninth “subsidiary”.

Local airline operators in the country are not comfortable with the way and manner the Minister went about the whole bidding exercise, as only the airline submitted a bid for Nigeria Air. Now, they have 135 planes. They have also said that they will increase the fleet size to 250 within the next five years and are ready to go into all domestic markets where they have footprints, with Nigeria now inclusive. What they are trying to do has been called ‘aviation colonialism’ of Africa as the airline will be in a position to operate local flights in Nigeria and charge low fares which local airlines believe will drive them out of the market.

Going by the partnership design now made public, Ethiopian Airlines is expected to deploy just three Boeing 737-800 aircrafts on domestic routes with Ethiopian crew onboard, and allegedly with no financial contribution. However, many Nigerians were shocked when, on his last day in office, a plane flew into Abuja branded in the colour of Nigeria Air and was displayed at a big show as the launch of Nigeria Air.

A few hours after the show, the branded ‘Nigeria Air’ left the country, and was immediately stripped of its Nigerian colour and name. It was at this point that many Nigerians became convinced that the country might have been duped.

The House of Representatives quickly directed its Committee on Aviation to look into the matter. The committee, last week, submitted a report to the larger House and indeed confirmed that what Sirika packaged for the Nation was a complete fraud, prompting for the suspension of the establishment of Nigeria Air as well as the prosecution of those involved in the unveiling of the national carrier.

If the impunity committed by Sirika is allowed to be swept under the carpet, we may just as well forget about Nigeria as we would definitely have become a Banana Republic where anything goes.

The House of Representatives has also urged President Bola Tinubu to constitute a high-level Presidential Committee to undertake a holistic review of the processes of the Nigeria Air project and advice the government on the way forward. The lawmakers also advised the Federal Ministry of Aviation with its Agency, the NCAA to designate some Nigerian Indigenous Airlines as Flag Carriers to take advantage of the Bi-Lateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), entered into by Nigeria, pending when a viable National Carrier comes on board. The lawmakers also stated that the $250,000,000 required to fully start a national carrier in the country could be raised by the government and its citizens without necessarily subjecting the nation to ridicule as done by Sirika.

Nigeria is gradually becoming a huge joke among the comity of serious nations and it’s high time we arrested the development. Sirika has brought shame to the country and he should be made to account for the fraud that he made of the Nigeria Air project. If the impunity committed by Sirika is allowed to be swept under the carpet, we may just as well forget about Nigeria as we would definitely have become a Banana Republic where anything goes.

See you next week

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Sirika made this known on Sunday in Abuja during a programme on Arise TV.

According to him, from 2016 to 2023, the budget for the Nigeria Air is N5 billion, and only N3 billion was released, and up till today, the money has not been completely spent.

He said the government of Nigeria did not pay a dime for the Nigeria Air to come for the unveiling on May 26.

“It is ridiculous to think that we’ll hire and paint an aircraft for N138 billion, which could get us five new Boeing 777max.

“We are responsible people and the general public should approach Ministry of Information and apply for the right of information to see for themselves.

“The House committee chairman on aviation asked for 5 per cent of Nigeria Air for himself and his people. I asked him to approach the owners of the airline,” he said.

According to him, former President Olusegun Obasanjo handed Nigeria Airways to his friend company, Arik Air, which is indebted to the tune of over N300bn, of which Nigeria taxpayers money is N250bn via AMCON.

“So, do we hand it over to Arik?” he asked, rhetorically.

Source: NAN

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The chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, made the call in Abuja after a careful evaluation of the issues of the Nigeria Air.

He said the committee was totally dissatisfied with the actions of the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, in going ahead to flag off the operations of Nigeria Air in spite a standing court injunction against such.

He said that was also without any provision for sustaining the operations of the airline.

He said a careful review of the process indicated the exercise to be highly opaque, shrouded in secrecy, shoddy and capable of ridiculing and tarnishing the image of Nigeria before the international community.

“We want to put on record that the committee and indeed the National Assembly had no role in the purported launch of Nigeria Air or anything related thereof.

“While the committee and indeed the parliament is not opposed to Nigeria having a National Carrier, as a matter of fact having a National Carrier is highly desirable to us as a people and Nigeria, as a nation.”

He, however, said that such a process should be transparent and all embracing, adding that the committee would not accept any attempt by any individual or group to hide under the project and siphon the commonwealths of the country.

The committee, therefore, directed the Federal Ministry of Aviation and its partners in the Nigeria Air project to immediately suspend flights operations and every other actions with respect to the Nigeria Air.

The committee also advised that the Federal Ministry of Aviation with its agency, the NCAA, to designate some Nigerian indigenous airlines to take advantage of Bi-lateral Air Services Agreements, BASA.

The agreement was said to have been entered by Nigeria, pending when a viable National Carrier comes on board.

“In conclusion, looking at the total amount required to fully starts the airline which is put at 250,000,000 dollars, the Nigerian government and its citizenry can raise these funds without necessarily subjecting itself to the ridicule we have been exposed to by this recent episode,” he said.

Source: NAN

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Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Sen. Hadi SIrika, said there were plans to create a fleet of 35 aircraft by 2028.

According to him, the achievement was the fulfilment of the promise of President Muhammadu Buhari to revive the national carrier before the end of his term, one of his 2015 election campaign promises.

It would be recalled that Ethiopian Airlines is the preferred bidder for shares in Nigeria Air.

Ethiopian Airlines will own a 49 per cent stake in the new airline, while the Nigerian Sovereign Fund will take 46 per cent and the Nigerian federal government the remaining 5 per cent.

“Certainly, we in the Ministry of Aviation in Nigeria and Aerospace understood the importance of infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth and development. And these infrastructures include the soft infrastructure of airlines.

“The preferred bidder, Ethiopia, as a country as well as the second largest economy in Africa after Nigeria, are largely dependent on Ethiopia Airline. They have been operating the airline for over 70 years.

“Also, Ethiopia as a country, just to underscore the process of aviation especially the airline, is the only airline with Qatar to record US$1 billion during COVID-19.

“Really, airline infrastructure is a driver of the economy. It is a catalyst for growth and economy,” Sirika said.

According to him, air transportation is the key to achieve AU Agenda 2063 in Aviation, which is Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future.

He said the agenda aimed to deliver on Africa’s goal for inclusive, sustainable development and concrete manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance.

“Nigeria, by the grace of God Almighty, is the centre of Africa. We are more than 250 million vibrant and brilliant people, who travel a lot by air.

“So, we have a population, we have geography, we have the economy, we have the people, we have the market. Nigeria has the largest population in Africa followed by Ethiopia.

“So, it is a very laudable process we went through,” he said.

The minister said all projects contained in the aviation roadmap would be driven by Public Private Partnership for better performance.

Source: NAN

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