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Alleged N2bn scam: EFCC tells Court how Sirika hired Ethiopian Airlines aircraft for three-day exhibition

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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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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Army Nabs Wanted Soldier Accused Of Supplying Uniforms To Terrorists While Escaping to Cameroon

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Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have nabbed a soldier declared wanted by the Nigerian Army over his alleged involvement in supplying military wares to terrorist groups operating in the North-East.

The suspect, identified as 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Training Facility (NAOTF), Lagos, was apprehended at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, 2026 by troops of 7 Provost Group led by the Acting Commander.

Preliminary investigations revealed that before he was declared wanted by the Army, the soldier absconded from his unit and travelled to Maiduguri on July 7, where he allegedly went into hiding.

Investigators further established that he was allegedly sheltered at Gomari Costain in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by 25NA/89/12687 Private Baba Kamal Sale of the Corps of Intelligence, Dikwa.

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Acting on credible intelligence, troops of the 7 Provost Group placed the suspect under 24-hour surveillance before intercepting and arresting him at Jidari Bus Stop while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Cameroon.

The suspect is currently in the custody of the 7 Provost Group, where he is undergoing further investigation into the alleged supply of military accoutrements to terrorist elements and the possible involvement of other collaborators.Government

Military sources described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle insider networks aiding terrorist groups, adding that investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any accomplice.

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AEDC Promotes 547 Employees, Raises Pay For 579 Others

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Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) has promoted 547 employees and approved salary step increments for 579 others as part of a broad workforce development programme designed to reward outstanding performance, strengthen staff motivation and drive organisational excellence.

The exercise, which benefitted 1,126 employees, followed the successful completion of the company’s 2025 Performance Appraisal Exercise and underscores AEDC’s commitment to building a high-performing, customer-focused workforce.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AEDC, Chijioke Okwuokenye, said the initiative reflects the company’s resolve to place employees at the heart of its transformation agenda, stressing that investment in human capital remains critical to achieving sustainable growth.

He described the promotions and salary adjustments as a recognition of diligence, professionalism and commitment, noting that the company would continue to reward excellence while creating opportunities for career advancement.

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According to him, AEDC is intentionally fostering a work environment where merit, innovation, continuous learning and teamwork determine career progression, adding that employee welfare remains a key pillar of the company’s long-term strategy.

“Our people remain our greatest asset and the foundation upon which AEDC’s future will be built. This is more than a reward for performance; it is a reaffirmation of our belief that excellence should always be recognised, talent should be nurtured and hard work should create opportunities for growth,” Okwuokenye said.

He explained that the organisation is committed to providing employees with fulfilling career opportunities that enable them to maximise their potential while contributing to AEDC’s ambition of becoming one of Africa’s leading electricity distribution companies.

The AEDC chief also urged employees who were not promoted in the current appraisal cycle to remain committed, assuring them that the company’s performance management system is structured to support continuous improvement, skills development and future career progression.

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AEDC said the promotion and salary increment exercise forms part of its broader strategy to cultivate a performance-driven culture, encourage professionalism and recognise employees who contribute significantly to the company’s growth.

The company added that as it continues to modernise operations, improve electricity service delivery and enhance customer experience, it will sustain investments in staff development to strengthen productivity and reinforce its position as one of Nigeria’s preferred employers in the power sector.

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Suspected Hoodlums Cart Away PVCs At Distribution Centre In Osun

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Some hoodlums suspected to be political thugs on Sunday stormed a permanent voter’s card (PVC) distribution centre in Okuku, the headquarters of the Odo-Otin Local Government Area of the state, and carted away two packs of PVCs.

The INEC officials were busy distributing the cards at the Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, when the thugs suddenly arrived and started shooting sporadically into the air, scaring residents and officials, and took two packs of cards and left the venue before police could arrive at the scene.

The spokesperson of the Osun State Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said that about ten armed hoodlums invaded the centre, fired sporadically into the air and carted away three packs of PVCs before fleeing the scene.

Ojelabi disclosed that the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, has condemned the attack and directed a comprehensive investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible.

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Reacting to the development, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in the state, Oluwatoyin Babalola, condemned the attack. She said she was to get the detailed report on the attack, adding that she is yet to know the exact number of PVCs carted away by the hoodlums.

The REC, however, assured the people of the state that the governorship election would be free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent.

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