Nigeria Air: EFCC Summons Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) called former Federal Minister of Aviation of Nigeria, Hadi Sirika for questioning regarding Nigeria Air, which has cost the country allegedly N3 billion.

Aside from the former minister, Nigeria Air officials have also been called to question about the controversial airline, which was unveiled on May 26, which marked the last working day of the administration.

EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren confirmed the investigation against the former minister and other officials. "I can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation in that regard," he said, Leadership reported.

"But I'm not sure and I can't confirm whether or not he has honored the invite," Uwujaren added. "Concerning other officials being questioned, I can't confirm that too, but an investigation is ongoing."

The organization will also look into the N3 billion of public funds that were invested in this controversial airline.

An insider disclosed that the former minister is "yet to honor the commission's invite, some other officials of Nigeria Air have been questioned, and the acting MD was invited for questioning too," Punch reported.

"Sirika wasn't the only person that was invited, other officials were invited too, and some of them have been interrogated and their statements taken by the commission but Sirika is yet to appear for questioning," the insider added.

The summon came after Sirika accused House of Representatives Committee of Aviation Chairman Nnolim Nnaji of asking for a 5% of stake in the controversial airline Nigeria Air.

"He asked me to please indulge him and give him 5% of the airline and carry him along and his people," Sirika said in an interview on television Sunday. "What I told him in private is that it belonged to the owners and I believe they will still be willing to give him if he had the money."

During the interview, the former minister also clarified that there is "no tax break or holiday for Nigeria Air Limited. They will operate within the same tax laws that everybody is operating."

"But they are going to be operating within a special economic zone we established and they will enjoy those taxes like every other person," he added.

It was announced in March that Nigeria Air will be operational before May 29, as former president Muhammadu Buhari would step down from his position on that date.

Last week, it was disclosed by the Managing Director of Nigeria Air, Captain Dapo Olumide that the airline doesn't have a license for full operations. He also claimed that the airline was only unveiled and not launched on May 26.