Hadi Sirika’s Brother, Abubakar, Arrested By EFCC Over ₦8bn Aviation Contract

Abubakar Ahmad Sirika, the brother of Hadi Sirika, the recently appointed Aviation Minister, has been placed under arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on suspicion of contract fraud in the aviation ministry.

During his time as a minister, Sirika was accused of a number of crimes, including criminal breach of trust, contract inflation, abuse of power, conspiracy, and money laundering totaling N8,069,176,864.

The amount in question is connected to four aviation contracts that the former minister gave to his brother’s business, Engirios Nigeria Limited, according to the anti-graft agency.

According to the agency, Abubakar is not only the company’s MD/CEO but also the lone signatory to its two accounts, which are kept with Union and Zenith banks.

Despite being aware of Abubakar’s status as a civil officer who has held the deputy director post on Level 16 at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources since 2000, an EFCC source disclosed that Sirika gave the contracts to his brother.

On August 18, 2022, the ex-minister awarded Engirios Nigeria Limited the first of the contested contracts, which had a total estimated cost of N1,345,586,500 and involved the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport.

The second, at N3.8 billion, was given on November 3, 2022, for the construction of a Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Center at Katsina Airport.

The third contract, which was signed on February 3, 2023, was for the N615 million purchase and installation of elevators, air conditioners, and a power generator housed at Aviation House in Abuja.

Additionally, the fourth deal, which was awarded on May 5, 2023, was for the N2.2 billion purchase of a simulator and Magnus aircraft for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology in Zaria.

The former minister allegedly gave N3.2 billion to his brother’s business, Engirios Nigeria Limited, which then distributed the money to other organizations and people.

There is no proof that any work has been done on the contractual goods up to this point, even with this transaction.

Currently detained by the EFCC, Abubakar Sirika is providing additional details on the ministry’s financial operations while being supervised by his elder brother, Hadi Sirika.

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