The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arrested former aviation ministry boss, Hadi Sirika’s brother, Abubakar Ahmed Sirika over an alleged N8.06 billion contract fraud in the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Abubakar’s arrest on Sunday was part of the ongoing probe of alleged fraudulent practices in the aviation minstry when his brother was in charge of the ministry.
EFCC is probing allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, contract inflation, criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
Abubakar’s company, Engirios Nigeria limited had been awarded four major contracts during his brother’s tenure.
According to a top official of the anti-graft agency, Abubakar after receiving the contract sum of N3,212,258,930.18, had allegedly transferred it to different companies and individuals. He also noted that no trace of work was done on any of the contracts awarded.
“In connection with the ongoing probe of the Ministry of Aviation during Hadi Sirika’s tenure, EFCC’s crack team was able to uncover four contracts worth about N8,069,176,864.00, which were not executed.
“The sum was for four aviation contracts, from the former minister to Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his sibling.
“While profiling the contracts, there was a payment of N3,212,258,930.18 out of the total contract sum to Engirios Nigeria Limited, which is owned by the younger brother of the ex-Minister of Aviation.
“Apart from being listed as the company’s MD/CEO, Abubakar is the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts.
“Investigators further discovered that upon the receipt of the payment, Abubakar allegedly transferred it to different companies and individuals.
“There is no trace of work done on any of the contract items to date,” the official said.
According to Channels television, Abubakar, a level-16 officer, deputy director in the Federal Ministry of Resources and his company, Engriois Nigeria Limited was allegedly awarded the four contracts between 2022 and 2023 when former minister of aviation, Hadi Seriki was in charge.
There were controversy about how much was released for the failed Nigeria Air Project which eventually led to EFCC investigating and probing into the controversy and consequently to the arrest of Abubakar.
