EFCC probes ex-minister Sirika Over Nigeria Air deal

ABUJA-Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo has revealed that the EFCC, is investigating the former minister, Hadi Sirika, over the controversial Nigeria Air deal.

Keyamo said: “The EFCC is investigating that deal. There is a criminal investigation going on. I have called for the report.”

Keyamo said no local airline would be designated as a national airline, stressing that “we will establish a proper national carrier.”

Recall that, in August, shortly after he was sworn in as minister, Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), faulted the deal by Sirika and suspended the whole arrangement to enable a proper audit of contracts.

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The Nigeria Air was unveiled days before the end of the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

The controversy surrounding the establishment of Nigeria’s national carrier, Nigeria Air, had forced veteran aviator Girma Wake to resign as Chairman of Ethiopian Airlines.

The then Interim Managing Director of Nigeria Air, Capt. Dapo Olumide, had said the aircraft used to unveil the country’s national career was a legitimate chartered flight from Ethiopian Airlines.

He added that the aircraft was returned to Ethiopian Airlines after the unveiling on the last day of the Buhari administration in May.

Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation had both labelled the launch of Nigeria Air as a fraud.