EFCC Arrests Former Minister, Hadi Sirika Over Alleged N8bn Fraud

A former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an ongoing N8,069,176,864.00 money laundering probe.

The former Minister of Aviation, who is facing charges, was confirmed to have arrived at the EFCC’s Federal Capital Territory Command around 1:00 pm on Tuesday at the Wuse office of the EFCC, according to The PUNCH.

After arriving at the command, Sirika is presently in discussions with EFCC investigators to address inquiries regarding purportedly fraudulent contracts awarded by him to a company named Engirios Nigeria Limited, which is owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.

Reliable sources within the anti-corruption agency, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak publicly, confirmed the development on Tuesday.

“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.”

Recall that In February, it was exclusively reported that the EFCC was investigating the activities of the Aviation Ministry under former Minister Sirika for conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation.

A credible source on Tuesday revealed that the anti-graft commission 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 N8,069,176,864.00 during Sirika’s tenure in office.

The amount reportedly pertains to four aviation contracts awarded by the former minister to a company named Engirios Nigeria Limited, which is owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.

In addition to holding the positions of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Abubakar is reported to be the only authorized signatory for the company’s two accounts held at Zenith and Union Banksy.

Furthermore, it was disclosed that the former minister’s younger brother, Abubakar Sirika, has been apprehended and held by the commission in relation to the sum of N3,212,258,930.18 transferred to his company, Engirios Nigerian Limited’s, bank account by the former minister.

It was observed that there is no evidence of any work being completed on any of the contract items up to the present time.

The source said Abubakar Sirika, who was arrested on Sunday, February 4, has since been assisting the commission in its probe of the Aviation Ministry’s financial expenditures during Mr Sirika’s tenure.

According to 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.”