By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The 12th Prosecution Witness, PW12, Christopher Odofin, in the trial of the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, told Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court Abuja, how Sirika allegedly passed off an aircraft belonging to Ethiopian Airline as that of the promised Nigeria Air by the government of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

The decoy aircraft, adorned with the livery of the promised Nigeria Air, found its way on the tarmac of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on May 27, 2023, being three days to the expiration of the tenure of the Buhari government and was flown back to Addis Ababa in the morning of May 29, 2023, being the handover date to the successor government.

Hadi Sirika is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on amended six-count, bordering on alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of over N2 billion, alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.

The contract for the setting up of Nigeria Air was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited, belonging to Gabriel Tilmann, a close associate and friend of the former minister.

Reading from a portion of contract agreement with Ethiopian Airline, the witness, an investigator with Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC said “The aircraft will depart from Addis Ababa (ADD) late evening of May 26, 2023 for it to be positioned early morning of May 27, 2023 at the Abuja (ABV) airport. The aircraft will stay in ABV airport for static display of Nigeria Air livery until May 28, 2023. The aircraft will leave ABV airport early morning on May, 29, 2023. The chartered flight will be operated by the Ethiopian Airline crew in Ethiopian Airline uniform. The Federal Government of Nigeria and Nigeria Air may put together local models who will be in Nigeria Air uniforms to pose for ceremonial pictures. The models may come to Addis Ababa so they may fly with the chartered flight to ABV.”

The witness told the court that the display of the aircraft in Abuja International Airport was deliberately planned to coincide with the end of the first defendant’s tenure as Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development on May 29, 2023 and to pass the aircraft off as the actualization of his promise of the return of Nigeria Air. After the less than 72 hours display of the aircraft, he stated that the Nigeria Air logo was removed from the aircraft and flown back to Ethiopian Airlines in Addis Ababa.

The witness further disclosed that the investigating team was also able to ascertain that Ethiopian Airlines entered into a charter arrangement for the static display of the Nigeria Air livery for a duration of just three days, beginning from May 27 to May 29, 2023 based on information and documents received from the airline following a letter from it, dated June 12, 2023, in response to the EFCC’s request for information regarding Nigeria Air. And that though the purpose of the contract was for the establishment of Nigeria Air, the charter agreement with Ethiopian Airlines was entered on May 24, 2023, five days to the expiration of the defendant’s tenure for just a static display of the Nigeria Air logo on an aircraft.

All the documents tendered in evidence by the prosecution were shown to have been duly signed, authorized, and accompanied by certificates of identification and were not objected to by any of the counsels to the four defendants.

Among the exhibits is a compact disk containing a voice note from the first defendant, Hadi Sirika, marked Exhibit 37, which the prosecution counsel applied to be played in the court at the next adjourned date.

Further in his testimony, the witness told the court told that though the contract for the start-up of Nigeria Air, which was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited for over N299 million on April 4, 2022, saw a contract extension award to the company on October 17, 2022, to a sum, exceeding N599 million on the instructions and directives of the first defendant, based on his relationship with the company’s alter ego.

According to him “The investigating team arrived at this position when the phone of one Enitan Muyiwa Abel, who was a Permanent Secretary in the first defendant’s ministry was analysed, showing a voice note sent to the Permanent Secretary while the first defendant was in Spain instructing him to ensure that the contract was awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited.”

Justice Oriji adjourned the matter till June 17, 2026 for the continuation of the trial.

By Lamara Garba in Makkah

The Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has assured pilgrims from the state currently performing Hajj in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that adequate arrangements are being made to ensure a smooth, safe and hitch-free return to Nigeria.

Governor Yusuf gave the assurance while addressing Kano pilgrims in Makkah, where he commended them for their patience, discipline and exemplary conduct throughout the pilgrimage period.

The governor also urged the pilgrims to continue offering prayers for lasting peace, unity, tranquility and prosperity in Kano State and Nigeria as a whole, stressing that the nation is in need of divine guidance and stability.

According to him, prayers remain one of the most powerful tools for overcoming the social, economic and security challenges confronting the country.

Speaking during the gathering, the Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle, disclosed that the return airlift of Kano pilgrims is officially scheduled to commence on June 24.

However, he revealed that efforts are currently underway by the state government and relevant authorities to begin the evacuation exercise before the stipulated date if all logistical arrangements are concluded on time.

Matawalle explained that the board has finalized most of the necessary preparations to ensure an orderly and seamless return operation, noting that once the airlift begins, all Kano pilgrims are expected to be transported back to Nigeria within approximately three days.

He said flight schedules and operational plans have been carefully coordinated to avoid delays and ensure the comfort of pilgrims throughout the return journey from the Holy Land.

The Director General further commended officials, coordinators and welfare personnel deployed across the 44 local government areas of Kano State for their commitment and dedication, which he said contributed immensely to the successful conduct of this year’s Hajj exercise.

He also expressed appreciation to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his continued support and concern for the welfare of Kano pilgrims from the beginning of the pilgrimage to its concluding stages.

Matawalle prayed to Almighty Allah to accept the acts of worship performed by the pilgrims, reward their sacrifices and grant them a safe return to their families and communities in good health and peace.

The planned commencement of the return airlift marks the final phase of the 2026 Hajj exercise for Kano pilgrims, bringing to a close weeks of spiritual devotion and religious activities in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.

Comrade Hasheem Abdallah has emerged as the newly elected Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Binyaminu Usman Polytechnic (BUPOLY), Hadejia Chapter, following a keenly contested election conducted on June 9, 2026.

The election, supervised by the ASUP Zone A Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Mohammed Mohammed, saw Comrade Hasheem Abdallah secure a decisive victory with 62 votes, defeating his opponent, Comrade Nafisa Nasir Ma’aruf, who polled 30 votes.

Speaking after the exercise, Comrade Mohammed Mohammed commended members of the chapter for their peaceful conduct and commitment to democratic principles. He described the election as one of the freest, fairest, and most peaceful electoral exercises he had witnessed throughout his years of participation in ASUP struggles and leadership activities.

He noted that the orderly conduct of the election reflected the maturity, unity, and democratic culture of the BUPOLY Chapter and expressed confidence in the ability of the newly elected executives to advance the objectives of the Union.

Following the announcement of the results, the Chapter Electoral Committee (ELCOM) immediately administered the oath of office to the newly elected executives.

This immediate transition of leadership aligns perfectly with Article 8.08 (The Chapter Executive Council) and the statutory operational guidelines of Articles 14.03 and 14.04 of the ASUP Constitution, which provide for the seamless assumption of office by duly elected officials, safeguard the stability of the Chapter, preserve executive continuity, and ensure the prompt execution of the mandate freely given by Congress.

In his acceptance speech, Comrade Hasheem Abdallah expressed profound gratitude to members of the Union for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to provide purposeful, transparent, and inclusive leadership.

He assured members that his administration would work closely with all stakeholders to promote staff welfare, strengthen unity within the chapter, protect the rights and interests of members, and contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Binyaminu Usman Polytechnic.

The newly elected Chairman further extended a hand of fellowship to all members, including those who supported other candidates, emphasizing that the election had ended and that the collective interest of the Union must now take precedence over individual differences.

The election marks the beginning of a new leadership chapter for ASUP in Binyaminu Usman Polytechnic, as members look forward to renewed commitment toward academic excellence, staff welfare, institutional development, and the advancement of the Union’s ideals.

Comrade Hasheem Abdallah has emerged as the newly elected Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Binyaminu Usman Polytechnic (BUPOLY), Hadejia Chapter, following a keenly contested election conducted on June 9, 2026.

The election, supervised by the ASUP Zone A Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Mohammed Mohammed, saw Comrade Hasheem Abdallah secure a decisive victory with 62 votes, defeating his opponent, Comrade Nafisa Nasir Ma’aruf, who polled 30 votes.

Speaking after the exercise, Comrade Mohammed Mohammed commended members of the chapter for their peaceful conduct and commitment to democratic principles. He described the election as one of the freest, fairest, and most peaceful electoral exercises he had witnessed throughout his years of participation in ASUP struggles and leadership activities.

He noted that the orderly conduct of the election reflected the maturity, unity, and democratic culture of the BUPOLY Chapter and expressed confidence in the ability of the newly elected executives to advance the objectives of the Union.

Following the announcement of the results, the Chapter Electoral Committee (ELCOM) immediately administered the oath of office to the newly elected executives.

This immediate transition of leadership aligns perfectly with Article 8.08 (The Chapter Executive Council) and the statutory operational guidelines of Articles 14.03 and 14.04 of the ASUP Constitution, which provide for the seamless assumption of office by duly elected officials, safeguard the stability of the Chapter, preserve executive continuity, and ensure the prompt execution of the mandate freely given by Congress.

In his acceptance speech, Comrade Hasheem Abdallah expressed profound gratitude to members of the Union for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to provide purposeful, transparent, and inclusive leadership.

He assured members that his administration would work closely with all stakeholders to promote staff welfare, strengthen unity within the chapter, protect the rights and interests of members, and contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Binyaminu Usman Polytechnic.

The newly elected Chairman further extended a hand of fellowship to all members, including those who supported other candidates, emphasizing that the election had ended and that the collective interest of the Union must now take precedence over individual differences.

The election marks the beginning of a new leadership chapter for ASUP in Binyaminu Usman Polytechnic, as members look forward to renewed commitment toward academic excellence, staff welfare, institutional development, and the advancement of the Union’s ideals.