Northern Forum Demands Arrest, Probe Of Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika Over ‘Nigeria Air’ Fraud

The Concerned Northern Forum has slammed former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

The forum called the “Nigeria Air” launch a half-baked project, driven by lies, deception, corruption and personal money benefits to Hadi Sirika, amounting to billions of naira.

The group called for the immediate arrest and thorough investigation of the former minister over the “Nigerian Air” scandal.

SaharaReporters in May reported that the plane unveiled by former President, Muhammadu Buhari a few days before he left office, was over 10 years old and belonged to Ethiopian Airlines.

Information obtained by SaharaReporters from Plane Spotters, a platform which takes an inventory of aircraft, revealed its Mode is S Q4005C and its Serial Number is 40965/4075.

Nnolim Nnaji, the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, had declared the launch of Nigeria Air a fraud after the major stakeholders in the deal between the Nigerian government and Ethiopian Airlines denied knowledge of the launch.

Meanwhile, the northern forum in a statement signed by Ali Muhammad, noted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must not waste any time in arresting Hadi Sirika alongside all his alleged co-perpetrators that took part in deceiving Nigeria, shaming it before the international community.

Ali Muhammad, said, “The call for arrest of Hadi Sirika followed the recent revelation by the interim MD of the so called ‘Nigerian Airline’, Captain Dapo Olumide, when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Aviation, where he stated that the Nigeria Air aircraft used for unveiling of the Nigeria Air was rented from Ethiopian Airline. No wonder the unveiling was quick, no details were made available, no one has the eyes to say he saw any features of the plane or anything.”

"The Minister was so adamant and insisted on going ahead with the unveiling of the Nigerian Air even when there was a court order acting against the same matter. It's a half baked project, driven by lies, deception, corruption and personal money benefits to the Minister amounting to billions of Naira.

"The alleged deception and breach of trust should not go unpunished. Hadi Sirika must be brought to face the law as it is also a disregard for the rule of law and entire justice system to proceed on matters against the order of a competent court of law.

"The Minister had acted with so much impunity on several occasions, he continuously operated as a tyrant Minister, refusing to listen to no one, the aviation experts, Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, who advised against this project.

"The national embarrassment and waste of resources incurred on the country would have been averted if he had listened to advice. We called on President Tinubu not to consider Sirika for Minister or any appointment in his administration," the statement added.