The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Abubakar Ahmad Sirika, the immediate younger brother of the former minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika.
He was reportedly arrested by the anti-graft agency on Sunday, February 4, 2024, over an investigation of the Aviation Ministry.
Grow your business with us
Ahmad Sirika was alleged to have been arrested over an N8 billion aviation ministry probe under Sirika when he was awarded contracts even though he is a civil servant and a deputy director on Level 16.
While in office as minister, Sirika is accused of conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, contract inflation, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering amounting to N8,069,176,864.
According to the EFCC, the sum is for four aviation contracts from the former minister to a company known as Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his younger brother.
The anti-graft agency said, apart from being listed as the company’s MD/CEO, Abubakar is the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts, domiciled in Zenith and Union Banks.
Sources within the EFCC said the former minister allegedly awarded the contracts to his brother Abubakar, knowing that the latter is a civil servant, a deputy director on Level 16 in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, where he has been working since 2000 till date.
The first of the controversial contracts from the former minister to Engirios Nigeria Limited was on August 18, 2022, for the construction of the Terminal Building in Katsina Airport at a cost of N1,345,586,500.
The second was awarded on November 3, 2022, for the establishment of the Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport, valued at N3.8 billion.
The third contract was on February 3, 2023, for the procurement and installation of lifts, air conditioners, ,and a power generator’s house in Aviation House, Abuja, at a cost of N615 million, while the fourth was awarded on May 5, 2023, for the procurement of Magnus Aircraft and a simulator for Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, at a cost of N2.2 billion.
The source stated that out of the total contract, the sum of N3.2 billion was paid to Engirios Nigerian Limited, which, upon receipt of the payment, transferred it to different companies and individuals. There is no trace of work done on any of the contract items to date.
According to the source, Abubakar Sirika is presently in EFCC custody, where he is providing additional information on the financial activities of the ministry.