The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, along with his daughter, Fatimah, and two others, over an alleged N2.7 billion fraud linked to the failed Nigerian Air project.
Scheduled for today (Thursday), the arraignment will take place before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
According to court documents seen by our correspondent, the other defendants include Jalal Hamma and Al-Buraq Investment Ltd. The EFCC has leveled six counts against Sirika, accusing him of granting undue advantages to certain entities between April 2022 and March 2023 in Abuja.
Among the charges, Sirika is accused of improperly awarding a N1.3 billion consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air Start-up to Tianero Nigeria Limited, allegedly violating Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Another charge alleges that Sirika used his position to favor Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, where his daughter and son-in-law are involved, influencing the award of a N1.498 billion contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport. The EFCC contends that this action also violated Section 19 of the aforementioned Act.
Furthermore, Sirika faces accusations of criminal breach of trust during his tenure as Minister of Aviation. The EFCC had detained the former minister in late April, subjecting him to several days of questioning.
