Former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika said the lawmaker who condemned the launch of Nigeria Air demanded 5 per cent shares.
At a public hearing, the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, labelled the flag-off of the controversial national carrier a fraud.
The lawmaker also criticised Ethiopian Airlines for the role it played, saying it did not speak well of the existing relationship between the two nations.
“A careful review indicates the exercise to be highly opaque, shrouded in secrecy, shoddy, and capable of ridiculing and tarnishing the image of Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking on ARISE TV on Sunday, Sirika revealed how the lawmaker approached him and made a demand for “him and his people.”
“On the issue of Hon Nnaji who called Nigeria Air launch a fraud, I will say exactly what I told him in private when we spoke.
“Hon Nnaji asked me that I should give him 5% of Nigeria Air to carry him along with his people,” he said.
Sirika recalled telling the committee chairman that a bidding process had taken place, which people had already won.
The ex-official said Nnaji was not specific on the “other people,” adding that such persons could be “his family, (Rep) members, or leadership.”
