The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, in connection with an ongoing N8,069,176,864.00 money laundering investigation.
Sirika was brought to the Federal Capital Territory Command of the EFCC around 1:00 pm on Tuesday, according to The PUNCH.
An anonymous source within the anti-graft agency confirmed the arrest, stating, “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.”
The investigation revolves around fraudulent contracts allegedly awarded by Sirika to Engirios Nigeria Limited, a company owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.
The EFCC is probing the Aviation Ministry’s activities during Sirika’s tenure for conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation, among other offenses.
Abubakar Sirika, who serves as the Managing Director and CEO of Engirios Nigeria Limited, has also been detained by the commission for his involvement in the case.
An EFCC investigator disclosed, “Out of the total contract sum, the ex-minister paid out N3,212,258,930.18 to his younger brother’s Engirios Nigerian Limited, who, upon receipt of the payment, transferred it to different companies and individuals. There is no trace of work done on any of the contract items to date.”
Both Hadi Sirika and his brother are assisting the EFCC in its investigation into the financial activities of the Aviation Ministry during the former minister’s tenure.
