BREAKING: EFCC Arrests Ex-Aviation Minister Sirika For Awarding ₦8bn Fraudulent Contracts To Brother

Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika has been detained by the EFCC for allegedly authorizing fraudulent contracts worth ₦8 billion to his brother’s company, Engirios Nigeria Limited.

The investigation focuses on several contracts awarded during Sirika’s tenure, involving significant sums traced to the company owned by his brother, who was arrested in February.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Hadi Sirika, the former Minister of Aviation, following his voluntary appearance at the EFCC’s Federal Capital Territory Command on Tuesday, April 23, at approximately 1:00 p.m.

VerseNews reports that Sirika is under investigation for his involvement in a series of allegedly fraudulent contracts totaling ₦8,069,176,864.00, awarded to Engirios Nigeria Limited, a company owned by his brother, Abubakar Sirika.

Sources within the EFCC have confirmed that the ex-minister is currently being interrogated regarding the contracts issued during his tenure.

“Yes, that was Hadi Sirika who was taken into our FCT custody. He is currently meeting with EFCC investigators over the alleged N8,069,176,864.00 aviation ministry contract fraud,” one source said.

Another source noted, “The N8,069,176,864.00 aviation ministry contract fraud was carried out in connivance with his younger brother, Abubakar Sirika, through the latter’s company.”

These contracts are believed to have been executed in collusion with his brother through Engirios Nigeria Limited. The investigation was triggered by suspicious financial activities linked to about ₦3.2 billion traced to the company.

The contracts under scrutiny include:

• Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport (₦3, 811,497,685.00)
• Procurement and installation of elevators, air conditioners and power generator house in Aviation House, Abuja (₦615,195,275.000)
• Procurement of Magnus Aircraft and simulator for Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria (₦2, 296,897, 404.00).
• Construction of the Terminal Building in Katsina Airport (₦1,345,586,500.00).

Abubakar Sirika, who was arrested earlier in February as part of this broad investigation, is a deputy director in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and has significant control over Engirios Nigeria Limited, being its managing director and the sole signatory to its bank accounts.

The EFCC’s action comes amid heightened scrutiny of financial misconduct within governmental contracts, aiming to uphold accountability and integrity within public service.