The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has arrested and quizzed Abubakar Ahmad Sirika, the younger brother of the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, over an alleged 8.06 billion Naira contract fraud in the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Sources close to the EFCC who disclosed this explained that of the contract sum, about 3.2 billion Naira was traced to Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by Abubakar Sirika, who is a Level-16 officer and a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
It was learned that four big contracts were awarded to Abubakar’s Engirios Nigeria Limited when his brother, Hadi Sirika, was in charge of the ministry.
According to EFCC investigators, Abubakar Ahmad Sirika is listed as the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer and is also the sole signatory to the two accounts linked to the firm with two banks.
The four contracts the former minister awarded to his brother that were not executed are:
Construction of the Terminal Building in Katsina Airport, (N1.3bn),
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Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport (N3.8bn);
procurement and installation of elevators, air conditioners, and a power generator house in Aviation House, Abuja, (N615m);
procurement of Magnus aircraft and simulators for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria (N2.3bn).
Investigators revealed that there was a payment of 3.2 billion Naira, out of the total contract sum to Engirios Nigeria Limited, and upon receipt of the payment, Abubakar Ahmad Sirika, allegedly transferred it to different companies and individuals.
The investigators also alleged that there is no trace of work done on any of the contract items to date.
The younger brother of the former Minister of Aviation, who was arrested by operatives of the EFCC on Monday, is still in the anti-graft agency’s custody, answering questions.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
