By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, his brother, Ahmad Sirika, and their company, Enginos Nigeria Limited, with fraud totaling N19.4 billion.
According to the EFCC, the fraud involves several contracts awarded by the former minister to Enginos Nigeria Limited, which is owned by his younger brother, Abubakar.
The contracts include the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport, the establishment of a Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport, and the procurement and installation of lift and air conditioners and power generators for the Aviation House in Abuja.
The EFCC alleges that Sirika used his position to confer unfair advantages on his brother’s company, in violation of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Sirika and his co-defendants are scheduled to be arraigned before Justice Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Garki, Abuja, today (Tuesday).
This is the second criminal charge filed against the former minister, who was previously arraigned for N2.7 billion fraud last Thursday.