Nigerian lawmakers in the House of Representatives said that the former President Muhammadu Buhari-led government deceived Nigerians by unveiling a Boeing 737-800 aircraft belonging to Ethiopian Airlines as a “Nigerian Air” plane.
The lawmakers on Tuesday faulted the Buhari-led government over the purported launch of Nigeria Air some days before the end of the administration, declaring it a fraud.
In May it was reported that the plane unveiled by Buhari as Nigerian Air a few days before he left office, was over 10 years old and belonged to Ethiopian Airlines.
Its registration number is ET-APL.
According to Information by Plane Spotters, a platform which takes an inventory of aircraft, revealed its Mode is S Q4005C and its Serial Number is 40965/4075.
It noted, “The first flight was an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft. Then it became Malawi Airlines on 16th February 2014. It was then acquired again by Ethiopian Airlines in 2015 and has been operating under Ethiopian Air since then.
“Then on the 26th of May 2023, it has Nigeria Air colours without changing ownership. It was first spotted in South Africa before it flew to Nigeria today.”
On Tuesday, Nnolim Nnaji, the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, declared the launch of Nigeria Air a fraud after the major stakeholders in the deal between the Nigerian government and Ethiopian Airlines denied knowledge of the launch.
It was gathered that the Ministry of Aviation claimed that Nigeria Air was only unveiled and not launched, which the committee dismissed as an attempt to divert the lawmakers’ attention.
Members of the committee were shocked when NAMA disclosed that the aircraft bearing Nigerian colours was on a chartered flight to Nigeria, while other stakeholders who confirmed the disclosure noted that a chartered flight could be painted in any colour and with any inscriptions.
