ABUJA, Nigeria – The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, is calling for the immediate arrest and thorough investigation of the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, over his involvement in the Nigeria Air scandal.
In a statement issued on Sunday, June 11, 2023, by Yerima Shettima, National President of AYCF, the group asserted that Nigeria is not a “banana republic” and thus individuals like Sirika should not be excused from their role in damaging the nation’s image.
Shettima pointed out the recent testimony by the interim Managing Director of the airline, Captain Dapo Olumide, before the Senate Committee on Aviation.
Olumide revealed that the aircraft used for the unveiling of Nigeria Air was rented from Ethiopian Airlines – a revelation the AYCF president described as a “slap on Nigerians’ faces.”
Rather than allowing the former aviation minister to provide unsatisfactory explanations in media appearances, Shettima urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to intervene immediately, arresting Sirika for questioning and potential prosecution.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has already started demonstrating that it is no longer going to be business as usual in Nigeria,” the statement said, urging the president to direct the anti-graft agency to hold Sirika accountable.
The AYCF accused Sirika of deception and breach of trust, particularly disregarding a competent court’s order by proceeding with the unveiling of the airline.
The forum warned that if the EFCC fails to act promptly, it may resort to legal action against the former Minister and mobilize civil society organizations, activists, NGOs, students, and others to protest nationwide until Sirika faces legal consequences.
The statement emphasized that the waste of resources and national embarrassment stemming from the Nigeria Air scandal could have been avoided with better judgment and respect for the law.
