The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has leveled fresh allegations of fraud against former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, his brother Ahmad Sirika, and their company, Enginos Nigeria Limited, to the tune of over N19.4 billion.
According to reports, the charges stem from various contracts awarded by the former minister to Enginos Nigeria Limited, owned by Sirika’s younger brother, Abubakar. The trio is set to be arraigned before Justice Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Garki, Abuja today (Tuesday).
This marks the second criminal charge brought against the ex-aviation minister by the EFCC. Last week, Sirika was arraigned on counts of N2.7 billion fraud before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. In that case, Sirika, alongside his daughter, brother-in-law, and Al-Buraq Investment Ltd., pleaded not guilty.
Insiders within the EFCC revealed that the agency filed a second charge against Sirika on Monday, this time alleging his involvement in a N19.4 billion fraud scheme. The charges detail instances where Sirika purportedly used his ministerial position to confer undue advantage upon Enginos Nigeria Limited, which is owned by his brother.
One of the counts accuses Sirika of influencing the award of a contract for the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport to Enginos Nigeria Limited for the sum of N1,345,586,500.00. Other charges allege similar instances of using his position to secure contracts for his brother’s company.
The EFCC also accuses Sirika of possessing proceeds from criminal activities, which indirectly represented funds from his tenure as Minister of Aviation.
It was disclosed that Abubakar Sirika, the ex-minister’s brother, was previously arrested and detained by the EFCC in connection with payments made to Enginos Nigeria Limited’s bank account during Hadi Sirika’s tenure.
