The House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has accused former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika of involvement in the questionable sale of two helicopters by the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) in Zaria. According to a report by Saturday Punch, the Bell 206 helicopters were sold for N556 million, allegedly due to underutilization.
While former NCAT Rector Capt. Alkali Modibo asserted that the sale followed due process and involved a licensed auctioneer, the committee, led by Ademorin Kuye, questioned the transaction’s transparency. The helicopters, initially purchased for $2.4 billion, were sold for just $1.2 billion without Federal Executive Council approval.
The committee recommended further investigation and potential prosecution for those involved, urging the Inspector General of Police to question Sirika and the buyers, Blue Horn Aviation Services Limited and Premier Jet Service Limited. The Nigerian Army also expressed disappointment, revealing it was denied the opportunity to acquire the helicopters for its aviation operations.
