EFCC to arraign Sirika, daughter, son in-law for N4.135b fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former Aviation Minister Hadi Abubakar Sirika for alleged corrupt practices involving about N4. 135 billion.

Sirika is to be arraigned along with his daughter, Fatima, his son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma and a firm – Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, according to the EFCC charges.

All the suspects are expected to be charged for the following:

•Alleged consultancy contract fraud for Nigerian Air (N1,326,731,670.97)

• Alleged corruption related to the contract for Apron Extension at Katsina Airport (N1,498,300,750.00 ); and

• Alleged gratification (N1,310,142,051.16)

According to the EFCC, the said fraudulent acts were committed by the suspects between April 2022 and March 2023.

The anti-graft commission said all the offences are contrary to Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, to Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532 Acts of the Federal Capital Territory and punishable under the same sections.

The charges before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are as follows: “That you – Hadi Abubakar Sirika – while being the minister of Aviation between April 2022 and March 2023, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon Tianaero Nigeria Limited, whose alter ego Prof. Gabriel Tilmann, is your Associate by using your position to influence the award to them, the consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air Start-up and extension of same for the sum of N1,326,731,670.97 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under the same section.