In a stunning revelation, the Nigerian government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, has been caught in a major deception of the Nigerian people. The government recently unveiled a Boeing 737-800 series aircraft as the much-anticipated “Nigerian Air,” only to discover that it actually belongs to Ethiopian Airlines, leaving many Nigerians feeling misled.

Investigations conducted by SaharaReporters have revealed that the aircraft, presented as the flagship of the Nigerian Air, is over a decade old and has been under the ownership of Ethiopian Airlines. Plane Spotters, a platform that meticulously tracks aircraft, provided the registration details of the plane with the registration number ET-APL and mode S Q4005C. Its history dates back to Ethiopian Airlines, followed by a stint with Malawi Airlines in 2014 before returning to Ethiopian Airlines in 2015, where it has been in operation ever since.

Curiously, on May 26, 2023, the aircraft was spotted in Nigeria with the Nigerian Air colors, without any change in ownership. Prior to its arrival in Nigeria, the aircraft had operated flights between Tel Aviv and Mogadishu, Somalia, on May 21, 2023. The questionable history of this aircraft raises concerns about the transparency and legitimacy of the Nigerian Air project.

Adding to the controversy is the fact that Ethiopian Airlines holds a majority stake of 49% in the Nigeria Air project, making it a key player in the venture. This ownership structure prompted domestic airlines, represented by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), to file a lawsuit against the Federal Government. The AON argued that the dominance of Ethiopian Airlines in the project undermined the interests of Nigerian carriers.

In an attempt to expose the questionable launch of Nigeria Air, the AON wrote a letter to President Buhari, urging him to intervene and prevent the aviation minister from proceeding with the launch before the President’s departure from office on May 29, 2023. The AON accused the aviation minister of disregarding a court order and emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law.

It is worth noting that the Federal High Court in Lagos had previously ruled against any further steps being taken regarding the Nigeria Air project, following a lawsuit filed by the AON. The lawsuit alleged corrupt practices and violations of Nigerian laws within the Federal Ministry of Aviation pertaining to the Nigerian Air Project.