EFCC arrests ex-aviation minister, Sirika over N8bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has  arrested Hadi Sirika, the former Minister of Aviation under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

According to EFCC, the arrest is as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged N8 billion money laundering case related to Nigeria Air.

Vanguard reported on Tuesday that Sirika arrived at the Federal Capital Territory Command of the EFCC at about 1:00 pm on Tuesday.

Sirika is being questioned by EFCC investigators regarding suspicions of fraudulent contracts that were allegedly awarded to a company called Engirios Nigeria Limited which is owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.

You may recall that in February, the EFCC conducted an investigation into the activities of the Aviation Ministry under Sirika.

The investigation focused on allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation.

Others are criminal breaches of trust and money laundering amounting to N8,069,176,864.00 during Sirika’s tenure in office.

Apart from being listed as the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abubakar is said to be the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts, domiciled in Zenith and Union Banksy.

It was gathered that the ex-minister’s younger brother, Abubakar Sirika, has been arrested and detained by the commission in connection with N3,212,258,930.18 paid to his company, Engirios Nigerian Limited’s, bank account by the former minister.

It was noted that there is no trace of work done on any of the contract items to date.

Sirika was arrested Sunday February 4 to assist the commission in its probe of the Aviation Ministry’s financial expenditures during his tenure.