Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) amidst an ongoing investigation into money laundering totaling N8,069,176,864.00.
The detained ex-Minister of Aviation was seen arriving at the EFCC’s Federal Capital Territory Command around 1:00 pm on Tuesday, as verified by The Punch.
Witnesses at the EFCC’s Wuse office in Abuja observed Sirika’s arrival and subsequent engagement with EFCC investigators.
He is currently undergoing questioning regarding alleged fraudulent contracts awarded to Engirios Nigeria Limited, a company reportedly owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.
Anonymous anti-corruption sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, corroborated this development to our correspondent 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.
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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.”
In February, The PUNCH broke the story that the EFCC was probing the Aviation Ministry’s operations under former Minister Sirika. Allegations included conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds, and inflating contract costs.
A reliable source disclosed to our correspondent on Tuesday that the anti-corruption agency is delving into the ministry’s affairs regarding the aforementioned allegations, along with accusations of breaching trust and engaging in money laundering.
These purported irregularities amount to a staggering N8,069,176,864.00 during Sirika’s tenure.
Reportedly, this sum concerns four aviation contracts awarded by the former minister to a company named Engirios Nigeria Limited, which is reportedly owned by Sirika’s younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.
Abubakar holds the dual roles of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer within the company and is reportedly the only authorized signatory for its accounts in Zenith and Union Banks.
Additionally, it has come to light that the younger brother of the former minister, Abubakar Sirika, has been apprehended and is currently in custody due to his involvement with a sum of N3,212,258,930.18 transferred to his company, Engirios Nigerian Limited’s, bank account by the aforementioned minister. Concerningly, investigations reveal a lack of evidence regarding any completed work related to the contracted items thus far.
According to the source, Abubakar Sirika, apprehended on Sunday, February 4th, has been actively aiding the commission in investigating the financial transactions of the Aviation Ministry during his tenure.
The 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.”
(PUNCH)
