Launching a national airline normally requires aircraft, crews, licences, routes and time. The Nigeria Air project allegedly found a faster solution: borrow an aircraft, repaint it and organise the photographs.
At the trial of former aviation minister Hadi Sirika, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission witness described how an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft was displayed at Abuja airport in Nigeria Air colours shortly before the 2023 presidential transition.
The aircraft arrived on 27 May 2023 and returned to Addis Ababa on 29 May. According to the testimony, the arrangement was a three-day static-livery display rather than the beginning of actual commercial operations.
Nigeria Air never carried a passenger. Yet the alleged financial damage connected to the project exceeds two billion naira.
The visual launch created the appearance of delivery at a politically useful moment. It is a classic public-project temptation: when the underlying programme is not ready, produce a ceremony that looks ready.
Sirika is entitled to the presumption of innocence. The prosecution must prove the procurement decisions, payments, personal responsibility and alleged deception before the court.
The case has become a symbol of public spending devoted to presentation rather than functioning infrastructure.
The airline’s most successful route was Abuja–press conference–Addis Ababa.
Key points
- Nigeria Air never began commercial operations.
- An Ethiopian Airlines aircraft was repainted for a short display.
- The presentation occurred days before a transfer of power.
- The alleged loss exceeds two billion naira.
- Former minister Hadi Sirika is on trial and presumed innocent.
Magouilles & Compagnie verdict
Provisional verdict: the aircraft was real, the airline was not, and the bill allegedly landed perfectly.
⚖ Your verdict Live
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