The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, over an eight billion Naira money laundering probe.
Impeccable sources in the EFCC say the indicted former Minister of Aviation arrived at the Federal Capital Territory Command of the EFCC at about 1:00 pm on Tuesday, and following his arrival, Sirika is currently meeting with the anti-graft agency’s interrogators, to answer questions on alleged fraudulent contracts awarded by him to a company known as Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his younger brother, Abubakar Sirika.
The sources noted that an over-eight billion Naira aviation ministry contract fraud was carried out in connivance with Sirika’s younger brother, Abubakar, through Abubakar’s company.
The sources disclosed that the EFCC is investigating the activities of the Aviation Ministry for conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation.
Others are criminal breaches of trust and money laundering amounting to over eight billion Naira during Sirika’s tenure.
Apart from being listed as the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sirika’s brother, Abubakar, is said to be the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts, domiciled in Zenith and Union Banks.
It was further revealed that Abubakar Sirika has been arrested and detained by the EFCC, in connection with over three billion Naira paid to his company, Engirios Nigeria Limited’s, bank account by the former Aviation Minister, Hadi.
It was noted that there is no trace of work done on any of the contract items to date.
The sources said Abubakar Sirika, who was arrested on February 4th, has since been assisting the commission in its probe of the Aviation Ministry’s financial expenditures during Hadi’s tenure.
Hadi awarded contracts to his brother Abubakar, knowing Abubakar is a civil servant and a deputy director on Level 16 in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, where he has been working since 2000.
The first of the contracts from the former Minister to Engirios Nigeria Limited was on August 18, 2022, for the construction of the Terminal Building in Katsina Airport, at a cost of N1,345,586,500.00.
The second was awarded on November 3, 2022, for the establishment of the Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport, valued at N3, 811,497,685.00.
The third contract was on February 3, 2023, for the procurement and installation of lifts, air conditioners, and a power generator’s house in Aviation House, Abuja, at the cost of N615,195,275.000, while the fourth was awarded on May 5, 2023, for the procurement of Magnus aircraft and a simulator for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, at the cost of N2, 296,897,404.00.
The former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, is in the EFCC’s custody, answering questions.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
