EFCC Summons Ex-Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika
Former aviation minister Hadi Sirika has been summoned before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Additionally, the anti-corruption organization questioned Nigerian Air executives regarding the airline’s most recent Abuja launch.
Read Also:Â DSS invites suspended EFCC Chairman, AbdulRasheed Bawa
It was learned that the committee had already questioned a number of alleged representatives of the national carrier, despite the fact that the minister was scheduled to appear before the commission later this week to respond to questions regarding the launch of the airline, Nigerian Air, adorned with Ethiopian flags.
When contacted by newsmen, EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren confirmed that an investigation was ongoing.
“I can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation in this regard,” he stated.
According to credible sources, the commission will investigate the N3 billion spent on the project, despite claims by some stakeholders that over N80 billion was spent on the endeavour.
At the end of the Buhari administration, the minister orchestrated the launch of Nigerian Air in Abuja using an Ethiopian aircraft.
The packaging of an Ethiopian airline that landed in Nigeria with Ethiopian flags as a national carrier infuriated stakeholders.
In a recent interview with Arise News Channel, the minister described the landing of the Ethiopian aircraft in Abuja as “a marketing strategy.”
“We have already questioned some Nigerian Air officials.
Hadi Sirika, the former minister of aviation, has been invited.
We anticipate his arrival within the week, according to the source.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) disclosed last week that the airline was still in the first phase of obtaining an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in order to operate as a commercial airline.
Also Read:Â Dollar to Naira black market exchange rate today June 15, 2023 | Aboki Exchange rate
Additionally, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had consistently opposed the concept on a variety of grounds.
Obiora Okonkwo, the spokesman for AON, recently cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to be “blackmailed into accepting a device that would definitely and ultimately harm the Nigerian economy and destroy millions of existing jobs for the benefit of one or two individuals.”
Thanks for using our platform to learn of the latest Naija news today on EFCC Summons Ex-Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika
