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EFCC Arrest Ex-Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, in connection with an ongoing probe involving money laundering totalling N8,069,176,864.00.
Reports indicate that the accused ex-Minister of Aviation presented himself at the EFCC’s Federal Capital Territory Command at approximately 1:00 pm on Tuesday.
Allegedly, Sirika is under investigation for purportedly awarding fraudulent contracts to a company owned by his younger brother, Abubakar Sirika.
These contracts, valued at over N8 billion, were granted to Engirios Nigeria Limited for various aviation projects, such as the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport and the acquisition of aircraft and simulators for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology.
Sources have disclosed to The PUNCH that Abubakar Sirika, who is also in EFCC custody, has been collaborating with investigators and has shared crucial information regarding the Aviation Ministry’s financial dealings during his brother’s tenure.
It is alleged that Abubakar redirected the funds paid to his company to different individuals and entities, without any evidence of work being carried out on the contracted projects.
The EFCC’s investigation into the Aviation Ministry encompasses conspiracy, abuse of authority, misappropriation of public funds, contract inflation, breach of trust, and money laundering.
“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 to newsmen.
Another source said: “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.”
The recent findings come after The PUNCH published a report in February, exposing the EFCC’s probe into the operations of the Aviation Ministry during Sirika’s tenure.
The probe has exposed a complex network of fraudulent activities, implicating Sirika and his sibling in an alleged embezzlement scheme that drained billions of naira from the Aviation Ministry.
Engirios Nigeria Limited, the company that awarded contracts, is accused of inflating costs and failing to fulfil project obligations, resulting in significant financial losses for the ministry.
An EFCC investigator told the news platform, “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.”
