Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating the former minister, Hadi Sirika, over the controversial Nigeria Air deal.
Recall that after leaving his position, Sirika has faced criticism for the suspended Nigeria Air project.
The national carrier was unveiled by Sirika just three days before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and has been met with controversy.
Keyamo made this revelation in an interview on Channel Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday.
He said, “The EFCC is investigating that deal. There is a criminal investigation going on. I have called for the report.”
Meanwhile, the minister said no local airline would be designated as a national airline, stressing that “we will establish a proper national carrier.”
Recall that, in August, shortly after he was sworn in as minister, Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), faulted the deal by Sirika and suspended the whole arrangement to enable a proper audit of contracts.
The Nigeria Air was unveiled days before the end of the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.
The controversy surrounding the establishment of Nigeria’s national carrier, Nigeria Air, had forced veteran aviator Girma Wake to resign as Chairman of Ethiopian Airlines.
The then Interim Managing Director of Nigeria Air, Capt. Dapo Olumide, said the aircraft used to unveil the country’s national career was a legitimate chartered flight from Ethiopian Airlines.
He added that the aircraft was returned to Ethiopian Airlines after the unveiling on the last day of the Buhari administration in May.
Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation had both labelled the launch of Nigeria Air as a fraud.
Meanwhile, Keyamo said the relocation of the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos will help the agency save over N500 million on travels alone.
