The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has interrogated top officials of Ethiopian Airlines, including its Group Chief Executive Officer, Mesfin Tasew as investigation into the botched Nigeria Air project intensifies.
The probe focuses on the alleged mismanagement of N2.6 billion spent on the project.
According to sources, the Ethiopian Airlines team claimed that the Ministry of Aviation owes them $211,000 and alleged that the terms of their agreement with the ministry were breached. Tasew reportedly stated that the Nigerian government lost interest in the partnership due to the ministry’s handling of the project.
The EFCC’s investigation has already uncovered a questionable consultancy contract worth N1.326 billion related to Nigeria Air.
An EFCC source said, “As part of our investigation, we want to find out how about N2.6 billion was allegedly spent on the botched Air.
“So far, we were able to uncover N1,326,731,470.97 allegedly spent on a Consultancy contract for Nigeria Air. This is already an issue before a court.
“In the course of findings, our operatives also discovered that the Ministry of Aviation was indebted to Ethiopian Airlines.
‘’Some officials of Ethiopian Airlines were in the country for interaction. We debriefed them and they explained the details of the Nigeria Air project.
“They confirmed that the implementation of the agreement was faulty because the Ministry of Aviation did not keep to the terms.
“They also said the ministry owed the airlines about $211,000. We have been inviting some past and present officials on the nature of the debts.”
The Nigeria Air project, launched by Former Minister Hadi Sirika just before the end of his tenure, aimed to establish a national carrier with Ethiopian Airlines holding a 49% stake.
