Northern group wants Sirika arrested, tried over Nigeria Air fraud

Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has demanded arrest and investigation of former Minister of Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, for alleged fraud.

In a statement yesterday by its chairman, Ali Mohammad, the group said their call followed the recent disturbing revelations by relevant stakeholders at the public hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation relating to the purported launch of the country’s carrier, Nigeria Air, by the ex-minister in the twilight of the outgone President Muhammadu Buhari administration. 

The forum, particularly, highlighted the portion that said the brandished aircraft was allegedly rented from Ethiopian Airline. 

“No wonder the unveiling was quick. No details were made available, no one has the eyes to say he saw any feature of the plan or anything,” Mohammad said. 

He added: “The airline is yet to secure an operating licence for full flight minister was so adamant and insisted on going ahead with the unveiling, even when there was a subsisting court order. The whole project was driven by lies, deception, corruption and personal benefits, amounting to billions of naira. 
 
“This is deception and breach of trust that should not go unpunished. Hadi Sirika must be brought to face the law. It is also a disregard for the rule of law and entire justice system to proceed on a matter against order of a competent court of law.
 
“The minister has acted with so much impunity on several occasions, as if the law cannot get to him. He has continuously operated as a tyrant, refusing to listen to nobody – aviation experts, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), who advised against this project.”

“This national embarrassment and waste of resources would have been averted if he had listened to advice, yet Sirika went ahead knowing it was a charade to deceive Nigerians and pocket billions to himself.”