Sirika was the aviation minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Wednesday, revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating the controversial Nigeria Air deal sealed by ex-aviation minister, Hadi Sirika.
Sirika was the aviation minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The minister revealed this on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.
He said, “The EFCC is investigating that deal. There is a criminal investigation going on. I have called for the report.”
SaharaReporters in May reported that the plane unveiled by then-President Buhari a few days before he left office, was over 10 years old and belonged to Ethiopian Airlines.
Plane Spotters, a platform which takes an inventory of aircraft, revealed its Mode is S Q4005C and its Serial Number is 40965/4075.
The Concerned Northern Forum had also called the “Nigeria Air” launch a half-baked project and claimed that it was driven by lies, deception, corruption and personal money benefits to former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, amounting to billions of naira.
The current aviation minister also revealed that the Tinubu government did not have any plan to rejig any local airline to become the national carrier.
He continued: “We will establish a proper national carrier.”