The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has summoned the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to appear before the commission.

The anti-graft agency had also questioned officials of the Nigerian Air over the recent launch of the airline in Abuja.

THISDAY gathered that 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, 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.

Stakeholders were enraged that an Ethiopian airline that landed in Nigeria with Ethiopian colours was packaged as a national carrier.

The minister had said at a recent Arise News Channel interview that the landing of the Ethiopian aircraft in Abuja, was “a marketing strategy.”

“We have already questioned some officials of Nigerian Air.

“We have invited the former Aviation minister, Hadi Sirika.

We are expecting him within the week”, the source said.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) disclosed last week that the airline was still on the first stage in a five-phase process of obtaining Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to operate as a commercial airline.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had also consistently opposed the idea on several grounds.

Speaking on the matter recently, the spokesman of AON, Obiora Okonkwo, warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to be “blackmailed into accepting a contraption that would definitely and ultimately hurt the Nigerian economy and destroy millions of existing jobs in favour of one or two individuals”.

olisaEze:
After watching the interview of the ex-Minister on Arise Tv, that man doesn’t deserve to be invited. He deserves to be bundled away to the Efcc in shackles & chains, not handcuffs!

nedekid:

Hope yoh saw oyemas right of reply, it is really a must watch.
This country, I am sorry may have issues moving forward with such folks as serika in positions. The problem of Nigeria is nothing more than it's leadership.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RypkgqNhaXc

TheGreatIYANU:
Reports coming out from the woodwork of wanton, colossal & staggering corruption under Booohari's nose are discombobulating to say the least.

PMB's PA's father allegedly had 1.5TRILLION in his account, not million, not billion!

My plea: abeg... let Tinubu expose and deal with them for the next four years, as he seems poised to. If PO had won & does what needs be done, 'they' will turn it to tribal matter and scatter the country.

I just pray BAT & crew face this people. PMB will go down in history as the WORST HUMAN EVER (past, current & future) to govern a country.

I say future so assuredly because if anyone comes after that is worse than him, the country will never survive it.

olisaEze:


Heavenly Fada! This reply touch my shock absorbers!! This Sirika fellow cannot claim to be a Nigerian and be this stupid. This isn’t just corruption, this is hate for a whole nation that has given him more than he’ll ever be of worth! From HoR to the red chambers then minister. After enjoying the best benefits of the country, he still went ahead to assist another nation in total disregard & contempt for our judiciary while selling us cheap and making Nigerians look like fools to the Ethiopians! Such a person doesn’t deserve a jail term, he deserves to be executed!