Nigeria Air: Sirika arrested by EFCC

Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has been arrested by The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The arrest is not unconnected with an ongoing N8,069,176,864.00 money laundering probe.

According to a report by The PUNCH, the former Minister arrived at the Federal Capital Territory Command of the EFCC at about 1:00 pm on Tuesday.

Sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, because they were not authorised to speak, confirmed the arrest.

“Yes, that was Hadi Sirika who was taken into our FCT custody. He is currently meeting with EFCC investigators over the alleged N8,069,176,864.00 aviation ministry contract fraud,” a source revealed.

Another source noted, “The N8,069,176,864.00 aviation ministry contract fraud was carried out in connivance with his younger brother, Abubakar Sirika, through the latter’s company.”

It was discovered that the anti-graft commission is looking into the Aviation Ministry’s actions for conspiracy, misuse of power, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation.

Others include criminal breaches of trust and money laundering totaling N8,069,176,864.00 during Sirika’s time in government.

The money is reported to be for four aviation contracts from the former minister to Engirios Nigeria Limited, which is owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.

Apart from being named as the company’s Managing Director and CEO, Abubakar is claimed to be the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts, Zenith and Union Banksy.

It was also stated that the ex-minister’s younger brother, Abubakar Sirika, had been arrested and held by the commission in connection with the former minister’s payment of N3,212,258,930.18 to the bank account of his company, Engirios Nigerian Limited.

It was noticed that no work has been completed on any of the contract items to yet.

The EFCC investigator said, “We’re investigating an N8,069,176,864.00 money laundering case linked to former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika.

“Hadi awarded contracts to his brother Abubakar, knowing that the latter is a civil servant, a deputy director on Level 16 in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, where he has been working since 2000 till date.

“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 Center 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.

“Out of the total contract sum, the ex-minister paid out N3,212,258,930.18 to his younger brother’s Engirios Nigerian Limited, who, upon receipt of the payment, transferred it to different companies and individuals. There is no trace of work done on any of the contract items to date.

“Abubakar Sirika is currently in our custody at the Headquarters, and he is providing us with more useful information on the financial activities of the Aviation Ministry under the supervision of his older brother, Hadi Sirika.”

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