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- Ex-Aviation Minister Accused of Awarding Contracts to Brother’s Company
From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to arraign former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika, his brother Ahmad Sirika, and his company Enginos Nigeria Limited on Tuesday due to their absence in court.
The defendants were scheduled to be arraigned before Justice Suleiman Belgore of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on an eight-count charge of over N19.4 billion fraud. However, they were not present in court, and the prosecution counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, informed the judge that they had not been served with the charge.
Justice Belgore rescheduled the arraignment to Thursday, May 23, 2024, by agreement of both counsel. Atolagbe explained that the defendants were unable to fly from Lagos to Abuja for their arraignment due to flight problems.
The fresh charges allege that Sirika used his position as minister to award contracts to Enginos Nigeria Limited, owned by his brother, Abubakar. These contracts include the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport, the establishment of a Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport, and the procurement and installation of lifts, air conditioners, and power generators for the Aviation House in Abuja.
Sirika is also accused of possessing proceeds of criminal conduct amounting to N2,337,840,674.16. His brother, Abubakar, was previously arrested and detained by the EFCC in connection with N3,212,258,930.18 paid to Enginos Nigeria Limited’s bank account by the former minister.
