EFCC Freezes N3b Traced To Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika's Brother

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has frozen an account belonging to Abubakar Ahmad Sirika, brother of immediate-past minister Hadi Sirika

The EFCC freezes N3 billion linked to the brother of former aviation minister Hadi Sirika.

According to reports, Abubakar Ahmad Sirika, the brother of the recently appointed Minister Hadi Sirika, was questioned by the EFCC and taken into custody in connection with a purported N8.06 billion contract fraud at the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

About N3.2 billion of the contract amount was linked to Engirios Nigeria Limited, which is owned by Abubakar Sirika, a deputy director and Level-16 officer in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

Abubakar Ahmad Sirika is identified by EFCC investigators as the company's MD/CEO and as the only signatory to the two bank accounts connected to the business.

The four contracts the ex-minister awarded to his brother which were not executed are:

Construction of the Terminal Building in Katsina Airport (N1.3bn).

It was discovered that during his brother's tenure as ministry head, Abubakar's Engirios Nigeria Limited was given four significant contracts.

• Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport (N3.8bn);

• Procurement and installation of elevators, air conditioners and power generator house in Aviation House, Abuja (N615m);

 • Procurement of Magnus Aircraft and simulator for Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria (N2.3bn).

Investigators found that N3.2 billion of the total contract amount was paid to Engirios Nigeria Limited, and that Abubakar Ahmad Sirika allegedly transferred the money to various businesses and individuals after receiving it.

However, the investigators claimed that no work had been done on any of the contract items up to this point.