EFCC Initiates New Allegations Against Former Aviation Minister And Sibling Over ₦19 Billion Fraud

The Sirika siblings are scheduled to appear before Justice Belgore at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Garki, Abuja, today (Tuesday).

This marks the second set of criminal charges the EFCC has filed against the former aviation minister following his recent indictment for a separate ₦2.7 billion fraud last Thursday at the same court.

During the previous week’s proceedings, Sirika was charged with six counts alongside his daughter, Fatimah; son-in-law, Jalal Hamma; and Al-Buraq Investment Ltd.

Despite entering a plea of not guilty, Justice Sylvanus Oriji granted the defendants bail in the amount of ₦100 million each, contingent upon them remaining within the country until the conclusion of the case.

According to insiders at the EFCC, Sirika faces an additional set of charges involving a substantial ₦19.4 billion.

The specific charges allege that Sirika exploited his ministerial position to influence the awarding of contracts to Enginos Nigeria Limited, benefiting his brother.

One particular charge specifies that on August 18, 2022, Sirika facilitated the awarding of a ₦1,345,586,500 contract for the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport to his sibling’s company. This purportedly contravenes Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Further accusations include a ₦3,811,497,685 contract granted on November 3, 2022, to establish a Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport, as well as another contract for the procurement and installation of lifts, air conditioners, and power generators worth ₦615,195,275 at the Aviation House in Abuja.

Additionally, the EFCC alleges that between August 2022 and May 2023, Sirika was in possession of ₦2,337,840,674.16, which purportedly represents the proceeds from these illicit activities.

Prior to these developments, Abubakar Sirika, the ex-minister’s younger brother, was apprehended and detained by the EFCC in connection to ₦3,212,258,930.18 transferred to Enginos Nigerian Limited’s bank account by the former minister.