Hadi Sirika, the ex-Minister of Aviation, has been detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of an ongoing investigation into money laundering totaling N8,069,176,864.00.

Sources within the EFCC have revealed that Sirika’s arrest is connected to purportedly fraudulent contracts he sanctioned for Engirios Nigeria Limited, a company owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.

This development follows earlier statements by Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, who disclosed in January that the EFCC was probing the controversial Nigeria Air deal initiated during Sirika’s tenure.

It was previously reported that the aircraft unveiled by former President Buhari shortly before his departure from office was more than ten years old and originally belonged to Ethiopian Airlines. Plane Spotters, an aircraft cataloging platform, identified the aircraft’s Mode as S Q4005C and its Serial Number as 40965/4075.

Furthermore, the Concerned Northern Forum criticized the introduction of “Nigeria Air,” branding it as a flawed project driven by lies, deception, and corruption involving billions of naira.

In addition, the current Minister of Aviation revealed that there were no intentions under the Bola Tinubu administration to refurbish any local airline to serve as the national carrier. Instead, there is a commitment to establish a proper national carrier.