EFCC summons Hadi Sirika over fraud allegations in establishment of Nigeria Air

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika to appear before the commission over the alleged scandal in the establishment of the national carrier, Nigeria Air.

According to a THISDAY report, while the minister was due to appear before the commission within the week to answer questions related to the launch of the airline, Nigerian Air, garbed in Ethiopian colours, the commission had already grilled some supposed officials of the national carrier.

When contacted, the spokesman of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that there was an ongoing investigation but could not give further details.

“I can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation in that regard,” he said.

Competent sources told THISDAY that the commission would look at the N3 billion sunk into the project though some stakeholders insisted that over N80 billion was expended on the project.

The minister had, at the twilight of the Buhari’s administration, caused the supposed launch of the Nigerian Air in Abuja using an Ethiopian aircraft.

Recall that during the hearing in the House of Representatives, the Chairman, of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Honourable Nnolim Nnaji tagged the deal about Nigeria Air as a fraud.

Sirika was also accused by the acting managing director of Nigeria Air, Captain Dapo Olumide of imposing a fraudulent deal on the nation through the formation of the airline.

Dapo while appearing before the Senate Committee on Aviation revealed that the aircraft reportedly brought into the country penultimate week as belonging to the airline was chartered from Ethiopian Airlines to show off.

This led to calls from many Nigerians demanding that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC investigate Sirika over the allegations.

However, speaking for the first time since the national outburst against him over the airline deal on Arise News Television last weeek, Sirika alleged that the lawmaker approached him and asked for five per cent shares of the airline for “him and his people”.

“Hon Nnaji asked me that I should give him 5% of Nigeria to carry him along with his people, and I said to him at that time that honourable, you didn’t understand me. This is a bidding process that has taken place. And some people won, So I think he should go to those people and ask for the 5 per cent.”