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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja how former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, allegedly presented an aircraft belonging to Ethiopian Airlines as the long-promised Nigeria Air aircraft shortly before the end of the administration of late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The disclosure came from the 12th prosecution witness, Christopher Odofin, an EFCC investigator, during proceedings before Justice S.C. Oriji in the ongoing trial of Sirika and three other defendants over alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds exceeding N2billion.

Sirika is standing trial alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, his son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited on an amended six-count charge brought by the anti-graft agency.

Testifying before the court, Odofin said investigations uncovered a charter arrangement involving Ethiopian Airlines under which an aircraft was temporarily painted in Nigeria Air colours and flown into Abuja for what prosecutors described as a staged unveiling.

Reading from a contract agreement between Ethiopian Airlines and parties involved in the Nigeria Air project, the witness told the court that the aircraft departed Addis Ababa on the evening of May 26, 2023, arriving at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja early on May 27.

According to the agreement cited in court, the aircraft was scheduled to remain in Abuja solely for the display of the Nigeria Air livery until May 28 before departing for Addis Ababa on the morning of May 29, 2023, the day power was transferred to a new administration.

The document further stated that the chartered flight would be operated by Ethiopian Airlines personnel wearing the airline’s uniforms, while local models dressed in Nigeria Air uniforms could be used for ceremonial photographs.

Odofin told the court that investigators concluded the display was deliberately timed to coincide with the final days of Sirika’s tenure as aviation minister and to create the impression that the Nigeria Air project had become operational.

“The aircraft stayed for less than 72 hours and, after the display, the Nigeria Air logo was removed before it was flown back to Ethiopian Airlines in Addis Ababa,” Odofin said.

He further disclosed that EFCC investigators obtained documents from Ethiopian Airlines following a June 12, 2023, response to the commission’s request for information regarding Nigeria Air.

According to him, the documents confirmed that the charter arrangement was strictly for a three-day static display of the Nigeria Air branding.

Odofin noted that although the Nigeria Air project was officially intended to establish a national carrier, the charter agreement with Ethiopian Airlines was only executed on May 24, 2023, just five days before Sirika left office.

He also testified about the award of contracts linked to the Nigeria Air project. He told the court that a contract valued at over N299 million was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited on April 4, 2022, for the airline’s start-up operations.

According to him, the same contract was later extended on October 17, 2022, increasing its value to more than N599 million, allegedly on the directives of Sirika.

The witness alleged that investigators reached that conclusion after analysing the mobile phone of Enitan Muyiwa Abel, a former permanent secretary in the ministry.

According to Odofin, investigators recovered a voice note allegedly sent by Sirika while he was in Spain, directing the permanent secretary to ensure that the contract was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited, a company linked to Gabriel Tilmann, whom prosecutors described as a close associate of the former minister.

The prosecution also tendered several documents, all of which were admitted without objection from defence counsel representing the four defendants.

Among the exhibits admitted was a compact disc containing an alleged voice note from Sirika, marked as Exhibit 37. The prosecution requested that the recording be played in open court during the next hearing.

Justice Oriji subsequently adjourned the case until June 17, 2026, for continuation of the trial.

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A former Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, has reacted to the arrest warrant issued against him by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, expressing shock over the decision and insisting that he had earlier informed the committee that he was outside Nigeria receiving medical treatment.

The reaction came hours after the committee ordered security agencies to arrest and produce Kyari before lawmakers over his failure to appear at an investigative hearing probing allegations of N210 trillion in unaccounted funds in NNPCL’s accounts between 2017 and 2023.

In a letter dated June 10, 2026, obtained by the media Kyari said he had previously written to the committee on May 8 and that the correspondence was received on May 11, informing lawmakers that he was abroad on medical grounds and unable to attend the hearing physically.

“I am deeply shocked by the issuance of the warrant, especially as I had earlier communicated with your committee via a letter dated and received on 11th May, 2026,” Kyari wrote.

“In that letter, I informed the Committee that I was out of the country on medical grounds. I also expressed my willingness to honour the Committee’s invitation as soon as I return to Nigeria.”

He added that he had offered to respond to any questions from the committee in writing to avoid delaying its work.

“I wish to reiterate that I remain very willing and ready to honour the invitation of the Committee and to appear before it once I return to the country and at the convenience of the committee,” the former NNPCL boss stated.

In the earlier letter dated May 8, 2026, Kyari said he was unaware of any formal invitation before learning of the committee’s directive that he appear before lawmakers over issues relating to NNPCL’s accounts during his tenure.

“However, I wish to respectfully state that I have neither received nor sighted the said invitation. Notwithstanding this, I would have gladly honoured the invitation and appeared before the Committee to provide any clarification required,” he wrote.

“Unfortunately, I am presently outside the country undergoing critical medical care and, due to these circumstances, I am unable to attend physically at this time.”

Kyari also requested that any questions from the committee be forwarded through his legal representatives to enable him provide clarifications while receiving treatment abroad.

He further defended his stewardship at NNPCL, stating that proper records of all transactions undertaken during his tenure were maintained and remained available within the company for verification.

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts had earlier on Wednesday ordered Kyari’s arrest after lawmakers rejected appeals by some senators to grant him additional time to appear before the panel.

The committee is investigating 19 audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation concerning NNPCL’s financial records between 2017 and 2023, including allegations that N210 trillion could not be properly accounted for.

During the hearing, senators including Saliu Mustapha and Tony Nwoye urged caution, citing reports that Kyari was receiving medical treatment in Germany.

However, other lawmakers opposed any further delay.

Senator Abdul Ningi argued that claims of illness should be supported by documentary evidence, while Senator Victor Umeh moved the motion for Kyari’s arrest.

Seconding the motion, Deputy Chairman of the committee, Peter Nwaebonyi, said the panel had already convened nine times on the matter and could not afford further delays.

Former Edo State governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, also backed the move, warning that the Senate risked undermining its authority if its summons were ignored.

Following a voice vote, committee chairman Ibrahim Dankwambo directed that Kyari be arrested and brought before the committee.

Meanwhile, former NNPCL Chief Financial Officer, Umar Isa, who appeared before the panel, rejected allegations that N210 trillion was missing from the company’s accounts.

“To be clear, if money had gone missing at NNPC during our tenure, we would not have had the courage to publish audited accounts,” Isa said.

He maintained that NNPCL’s total revenue during the period under review was approximately N54.5 trillion, arguing that it was mathematically impossible for N210 trillion to be missing.

The committee subsequently directed Isa and former Chief Upstream Investment Officer, Bala Wunti, to reappear before it within two weeks as the investigation continues.

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…security, electoral reforms, devolution of powers among key proposals

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has released the final version of the Constitution Alteration Bills ahead of a decisive vote scheduled for Thursday, signalling a major step in the ongoing effort to reshape key aspects of Nigeria’s constitutional framework.

The proposed amendments, which are expected to come before lawmakers during plenary, are the product of months of consultations, public hearings and stakeholder engagements conducted across the country by the House Committee on Constitution Review.

According to the House, the bills emerged after extensive consideration of proposals submitted by lawmakers, government agencies, professional bodies, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and ordinary Nigerians.

The review process included zonal and national public hearings, expert sessions, consultative meetings and town hall engagements held across the six geopolitical zones to gather public input on critical constitutional issues.

The bills cover a wide range of national concerns, including electoral reforms, judicial reforms, security and policing, local government administration, devolution of powers, fiscal reforms, human rights, citizenship, traditional institutions, legislative matters and the creation of states and local governments.

At the centre of public attention is the proposal seeking constitutional backing for the establishment of state police, a reform that has generated intense debate and attracted widespread support and opposition across the federation.

The proposed legislation seeks to create an additional layer of policing within Nigeria’s security structure while providing constitutional safeguards, operational guidelines and oversight mechanisms to define the relationship between federal and state policing authorities.

The House said the proposal reflects growing national calls for more localised and responsive approaches to tackling insecurity.

Speaking on the release of the final draft, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, described the development as a significant milestone in the constitutional review process.

According to him: “The release of the final print of these Constitution Alteration Bills reflects the extensive consultations, careful scrutiny, and bipartisan collaboration that have characterised this reform process. These proposals embody the aspirations, concerns, and recommendations expressed by Nigerians from all walks of life.

“Of particular significance is the proposal on State Police, which responds to longstanding calls for a more effective and decentralised policing framework capable of addressing emerging security challenges across the federation. As the House prepares to vote, we remain guided by our constitutional responsibility to strengthen democratic governance, deepen federalism, promote inclusion, enhance security, and build institutions capable of meeting the demands of a modern and prosperous nation.”

The House is expected to vote on the bills during plenary on Thursday, provided the constitutionally required quorum is achieved. If the required number of lawmakers is not present, consideration of the amendments will be postponed to the next legislative sitting in line with constitutional provisions and House rules.
The House leadership reiterated its commitment to an open and transparent constitutional review process, expressing confidence that the proposed reforms would strengthen democratic institutions, improve governance, promote national unity and respond to the evolving aspirations of Nigerians.