The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended Hadi Sirika, former Minister of Aviation, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering totaling N8,069,176,864.00.
Sirika, the implicated former minister, arrived at the EFCC’s Federal Capital Territory Command around 1:00 pm on Tuesday, as confirmed by The PUNCH.
Witnesses at the EFCC’s Wuse office observed Sirika’s arrival for questioning regarding purportedly fraudulent contracts awarded to Engirios Nigeria Limited, a company owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.
Unnamed sources within the anti-graft agency, speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization, corroborated these developments 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.”
In February, The PUNCH exclusively disclosed that the EFCC was probing the Aviation Ministry’s activities during former Minister Sirika’s tenure for conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds, and contract inflation.
A reliable source, speaking with our correspondent on Tuesday, disclosed that the anti-graft commission’s investigation encompasses conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds, and contract inflation within the Aviation Ministry.
Additionally, the probe includes allegations of criminal breaches of trust and money laundering amounting to N8,069,176,864.00 during Sirika’s term in office.
These funds purportedly relate to four aviation contracts awarded by the former minister to Engirios Nigeria Limited, a company owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.
Abubakar, listed as the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, is reportedly the sole signatory to its accounts held in Zenith and Union Banks.
Furthermore, it was disclosed that Abubakar Sirika, the ex-minister’s younger brother, has been detained by the commission in connection with N3,212,258,930.18 transferred to Engirios Nigeria Limited’s bank account by his brother.
Notably, there’s no evidence of work being carried out on any of the contract assignments to date.
The source revealed that Abubakar Sirika, arrested on Sunday, February 4, is cooperating with the commission in its investigation of the Aviation Ministry’s financial transactions during Mr. Sirika’s 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.”