Hadi Sirika, a former minister of aviation in President Muhammadu Buhari’s immediately preceding government, has been called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to testify before the anti-graft organization.
According to This Day, the commission had previously questioned Nigerian Air executives on the former minister’s last-minute launch of the airline in Abuja.
Within the next week, the former minister is anticipated to appear before the anti-graft organization to reply to inquiries on the debut of the Nigerian Air, which was painted in Ethiopian colors.
According to rumors, the EFCC had already questioned some alleged employees of the national carrier.
The EFCC’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, acknowledged the situation and stated that the probe was still proceeding without providing any other information.
stated Uwujaren:
“I can confirm that an investigation is being conducted in that regard.”
Even though certain stakeholders have constantly claimed that more over N80 billion was spent on the project, sources inside the agency have revealed that the commission would look into the N3 billion invested in the Nigeria Air project.
A few days after Buhari’s presidency came to an end, Sirika announced the creation of Nigerian Air, which will use an Ethiopian jet.
The development angered stakeholders who claimed that an Ethiopian airline had improperly packaged itself as a national carrier after landing in Nigeria with Ethiopian flags.
Sirika would be the second minister of Buhari’s administration by the EFCC. The anti-graft had earlier invited Pauline Tallen, a former minister of women’s affairs.
According to the EFCC, Sirika will serve as Buhari’s second minister. Pauline Tallen, a former minister for women’s issues, had been invited previously by the anti-graft.