The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign Hadi Sirika, the former Minister of Aviation, today on allegations of a N2.7 billion fraud connected to the failed Nigerian Air project, barring any unexpected developments. Sirika, along with his daughter, Fatimah, and two others, will face six counts before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. Court documents show that the co-defendants include Jalal Hamma and Al-Buraq Investment Ltd.
The EFCC alleges that Sirika granted undue advantages to certain entities in Abuja between April 2022 and March 2023. The agency accuses Sirika of abusing his office by awarding a N1.3 billion consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air Start-up to Tianero Nigeria Limited, violating Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In another charge, the EFCC alleges that on or about August 18, 2022, in Abuja, Sirika used his position to confer unfair advantages upon Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, involving his daughter and son-in-law, Fatima Hadi Sirika and Jalal Sule Hamma. This influenced the award of a contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport worth N1.498,300,750.00, further breaching Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The agency maintains that Sirika’s actions amount to a criminal breach of trust during his tenure as Minister of Aviation, as a public officer, on or about August 18, 2022, in Abuja, within the court’s jurisdiction. The EFCC detained the former aviation minister for questioning in late April.
