On Monday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), interrogated Abubakar Ahmad Sirika regarding an alleged N8.06 billion contract fraud within the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
It was reported that Ahmad Abubakar, who happens to be the brother of the immediate-past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, is suspected of having been awarded contracts by his sibling. And that his arrest on Sunday is part of the ongoing investigation into fraudulent practices within the Ministry of Aviation during the tenure of the former minister.
According to The Nation, it was reported that the EFCC is looking into allegations including conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, contract inflation, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering.
Approximately N3,212,258,930.18 of the contract money has been traced to Engirios Nigeria Limited, a company that is owned by Ahmad Abubakar, who holds the position of a Level-16 officer, serving as a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
An EFCC top source, who spoke under the condition of anonymity on the development revealed that four significant contracts, were awarded to Abubakar’s Engirios Nigeria Limited while his brother, Hadi Sirika, was still in charge of the ministry.
EFCC investigators identified Abubakar Sirika as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the company. Additionally, it has been discovered that he is the sole signatory to two accounts associated with the firm, held with two different banks.
The four contracts the ex-minister awarded to his brother are:
1. Construction of the Terminal Building in Katsina Airport (N1,345,586,500.00);
2. Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport (N3, 811,497,685.00);
3. Procurement and installation of elevators, air conditioners and power generator house in Aviation House, Abuja (N615,195,275.000);
4. Procurement of Magnus Aircraft and simulator for Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria (N2, 296,897, 404.00).
A top source said, “In connection with the ongoing probe of the Ministry of Aviation during Hadi Sirika’s tenure, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s crack team was able to uncover four contracts, worth about N8,069,176,864.00, which were not executed. Investigators further discovered that upon the receipt of the payment, Ahmad Abubakar allegedly transferred it to different companies and individuals.”
Further talking, he said, “There is no trace of work done on any of the contract items to date.These developments led to the arrest and detention of Abubakar on Sunday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. He was grilled for several hours yesterday.
He is providing the commission with additional useful information on the financial activities of the Aviation Ministry under the supervision of his elder brother.”
More information that was given made it known that the contract awards and the timelines were between August 2022 and May 2023.