Christopher Odofin took the witness stand on Wednesday in Abuja's Federal High Court. The EFCC investigator testified against former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika in an ongoing trial.
Odofin detailed how an Ethiopian Airlines plane was allegedly dressed up as Nigeria Air. Justice S.C.
Oriji listened as the witness explained the scheme to the court.
The aircraft touched down at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on May 27, 2023. It carried the Nigeria Air livery but belonged entirely to the Ethiopian carrier.
Three days later, on May 29, the plane departed for Addis Ababa. That date marked the final day of President Buhari's administration and Sirika's tenure.
Sirika faces six counts of abuse of office and misappropriation. Prosecutors allege he diverted over N2 billion in public funds.
His daughter Fatima, son-in-law Hamma Jalal Sule, and their company Al Buraq Global Investment Limited are co-defendants. Gabriel Tilmann, who runs Tianaero Nigeria Limited, was also implicated in the scheme.
The witness read directly from the Ethiopian Airlines contract agreement. According to the document, the plane would arrive early on May 27.
Odofin quoted the agreement: "The aircraft will stay in ABV airport for static display of Nigeria Air livery until May 28, 2023." It would depart the next morning, the contract stated.
The agreement specified that Ethiopian Airlines would provide its own crew in uniform. Nigerian models in Nigeria Air uniforms would pose for ceremonial photographs, it noted.
Some models could even fly aboard the chartered aircraft to Abuja. Their role was purely decorative for the planned display.
Odofin told the court the timing was no accident. The display coincided deliberately with Sirika's final day as aviation minister.
After 72 hours, workers removed the Nigeria Air branding from the fuselage. The plane then returned to its true owner in Ethiopia.
EFCC investigators obtained documentation from Ethiopian Airlines directly. The airline responded to the commission's inquiry on June 12, 2023.
Records showed the charter agreement was signed on May 24, 2023. That was five days before Sirika's ministerial appointment ended.
The contract was explicitly for a static display only. It was never intended to establish an actual operational airline.
Odofin's testimony painted a picture of elaborate deception. The scheme appeared designed to create an illusion of accomplishment at tenure's end.
The trial continues as prosecutors build their case against the defendants. More witnesses are expected to testify in coming sessions.
