The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought forward charges against former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, his brother Ahmad Sirika, and their company, Enginos Nigeria Limited, involving alleged fraud amounting to over N19.4 billion.
The charges pertain to multiple contracts awarded by the former aviation minister to Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Sirika’s younger brother, Abubakar. The trio is scheduled to appear before Justice Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Garki, Abuja, today (Tuesday).
This marks the second criminal charge leveled against the former aviation minister by the EFCC. Previously, Sirika was arraigned for a N2.7 billion fraud case before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. Alongside Sirika, his daughter, Fatimah, brother-in-law Jalal Hamma, and Al-Buraq Investment Ltd. were also charged. All defendants pleaded not guilty, and bail was granted by Justice Sylvanus Oriji.
Insiders at the EFCC disclosed that the agency had filed a fresh charge against the ex-minister concerning a N19.4 billion fraud case. The charges accuse Sirika of leveraging his position as Minister of Aviation to confer undue advantages upon Enginos Nigeria Limited, owned by his brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika.
According to the EFCC, Sirika allegedly influenced the awarding of contracts worth millions of naira to Enginos Nigeria Limited, violating Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Among the allegations, Sirika is accused of using his influence to secure contracts for the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport and the establishment of a Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre, both awarded to Enginos Nigeria Limited.
Additionally, Sirika is alleged to have awarded a contract worth over N615 million to his brother’s company for the procurement and installation of equipment at the Aviation House in Abuja.
Furthermore, the EFCC claims that Sirika possessed proceeds of criminal conduct totaling over N2.3 billion between August 2022 and May 2023, indirectly representing funds obtained through corrupt practices during his tenure as Minister of Aviation.
Abubakar Sirika, the ex-minister’s younger brother, was previously arrested and detained by the EFCC in connection with payments totaling over N3.2 billion made to Enginos Nigeria Limited’s bank account by Hadi Sirika.
