By Chinelo Obogo
The immediate past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for violating the Public Procurement Act among other allegations.
The anti-graft agency has also arrested his younger brother, Abubakar Ahmad on Sunday, February 4, 2024 over N8billion contract awarded to him by the Aviation Ministry under Sirika, despite the latter being a civil servant on level 16 in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, where he has been working since 2000 till date.
Sirika is being accused of abuse of office, diversion of public funds, breach of trust and contract inflation amounting to N8,069,176,864 for four aviation contracts awarded by the Ministry of Aviation to a company known as Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his younger brother.
The anti-graft agency said apart from being listed as the company’s CEO, the younger Sirika is the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts, domiciled in Zenith and Union banks.
The first contract awarded by the former minister to Engirios Nigeria Limited was on August 18, 2022 for the construction of the terminal building in Katsina Airport, at the cost of N1,345,586,500.
The second was awarded on November 3, 2022 for the establishment of Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport, valued at N3.8 billion.
The third was on February 3, 2023 for the procurement and instalment of lifts, air conditioners and power generator’s house in Aviation House, Abuja, at the cost of N615million while the fourth was awarded on May 5, 2023 for the procurement of Magnus Aircraft and simulator for Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria at the cost of N2.2 billion.
The sum of N3.2 billion was paid to Engirios Nigerian Limited, who upon the receipt of the payment, transferred it to different companies and individuals. There is no trace of work done on any of the contract items till date.
On the ongoing investigation of the former minister, a very reliable source within the EFCC spoke to Daily Sun, saying, “He is being investigated and is one of the former ministers asked to refund money.
His assets are being tracked across the country and in other climes.
“His younger brother was arrested on Sunday over N8 billion contract fraud. He’s currently in our custody and he’s being interrogated. He was given a contract to construct some things across the various airports in Nigeria. His brother awarded him the contract. He didn’t execute anything and he absconded with the money. EFCC is investigating and all those involved in the fraud will be brought to book by the anti-graft agency soon.”