The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, quizzed the former Minister of Aviation, Senator Sirika Hadi.
Also quizzed by the commission were officials of the Nigerian Air, following the the hasty launch of the controversial airline in Abuja.
According to reports, operatives of the commission had already grilled some alleged indicted officials of the national carrier.
It was gathered that Sirika Hadi, would appear before the commission within the week to answer questions relating to the hasty launch of the airline, Nigerian Air, with a lone aircraft repainted in Ethiopian colours.
The Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that there was an ongoing investigation but could not give further details.
“I can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation in that regard,” he said.
According to reports, over N3 billion was used for the project, but insiders are alleging that over N80 billion was expended on the project.
Recall that at the twilight of President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration, the Minister hastened the launch of the Nigerian Air in Abuja, using an Ethiopian aircraft.
This caused ripples among the stakeholders, who queried the launch of the airline using an Ethiopian airline that landed in Nigeria on national Ethiopian colours but dressed as Nigerian’s national carrier.
Speaking on the issue on Arise News Channel interview, the embattled Minister said that the landing of the Ethiopian aircraft in Abuja, was “a marketing strategy.”
“We have already questioned some officials of Nigerian Air. We have invited the former Aviation minister. We are expecting him within the week”, an EFCC source revealed.
Last week, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) disclosed that the airline was still on the first stage in a five-phase process of obtaining Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to operate as a commercial airline.
Also recall that the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had also maintained it’s opposition against the manner and ways that the airline was smuggled into the country for launch.
According to the spokesman of AON, Obiora Okonkwo, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, should not allowed himself to be “blackmailed into accepting the contraption.
He said the scam would definitely and ultimately hurt the Nigerian economy and destroy millions of existing jobs in favour of one or two individuals.
