Alleged fraud: EFCC to Arraign Former Minister, Sirika, Next Week

According to a report by Leadership, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, in court next week.

This comes after the former minister was arrested earlier this week on allegations of fraud and for allegedly awarding contracts worth N8 billion to his brother, Abubakar, who is a civil servant at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

The EFCC sources have revealed that Sirika will be facing charges related to an ongoing investigation into fraud and money laundering, which involves an amount exceeding N8 billion.

The investigation focuses on various contracts, including the Katsina Airport contract, the installation of lifts at Abuja Aviation House, and the procurement of Magnus Aircraft and simulator for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria. The EFCC’s investigations have revealed that Sirika knowingly awarded contracts to his brother, despite being aware of his status as a civil servant.

Engirios Nigeria Limited received its first controversial contract from the former minister on August 18, 2022. This contract involved the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport, with a price tag of N1,345,586,500.

On November 3, 2022, the second contract was awarded to Engirios Nigeria Limited. This contract focused on the establishment of a fire truck maintenance and refurbishment center at Katsina Airport, valued at a staggering N3.8 billion.

Moving forward to February 3, 2023, the third contract was granted to Engirios Nigeria Limited. This particular contract involved the procurement and installation of lifts, air conditioners, and a power generator house in Aviation House, Abuja.

The total cost of this project amounted to N615 million. 4. Lastly, on May 5, 2023, the fourth contract was awarded to Engirios Nigeria Limited. This contract centered around the procurement of Magnus aircraft and a simulator for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria. The cost of this project reached N2.2 billion.