The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken action against Abubakar Ahmad Sirika, the brother of the former Minister, Hadi Sirika, freezing a significant sum of N3 billion allegedly connected to an N8.06 billion contract fraud within the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Reports suggest that Sirika may have awarded contracts to his sibling, Abubakar.
Abubakar, who was apprehended on Sunday, underwent questioning on Monday as part of the ongoing investigation into fraudulent activities within the Ministry of Aviation during his brother’s tenure as minister.
The EFCC is currently probing allegations including conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, contract inflation, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering.
A substantial portion of the contract sum, approximately N3,212,258,930.18, has been traced to Engirios Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Abubakar, who holds a senior position as a Level-16 officer, serving as a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
Investigations reveal that Abubakar Sirika is listed as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Engirios Nigeria Limited. Furthermore, he is identified as the sole signatory to the company’s accounts with two banks.
The contracts awarded to Abubakar’s company during his brother’s tenure include:
- Construction of the Terminal Building in Katsina Airport, valued at N1,345,586,500.00.
- Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport, valued at N3,811,497,685.00.
- Procurement and installation of elevators, air conditioners, and power generator house in Aviation House, Abuja, valued at N615,195,275.000.
- Procurement of Magnus Aircraft and simulator for Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, valued at N2,296,897,404.00.
The EFCC has revealed that none of these contracts have been executed, raising suspicions of irregularities.
Furthermore, documents suggest that the contract awards occurred between August 2022 and May 2023.
The ongoing investigation also extends to other aspects of Sirika’s tenure, including the controversial Nigeria Air project. While there are conflicting reports about the funds allocated to the project, Sirika maintains that only N3 billion was released during his tenure, which he claims was not fully expended before he left office.