The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Hadi Sirika, the former Minister of Aviation under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, due to an ongoing investigation into a N8 billion money laundering case related to Nigeria Air.
Sirika was taken into custody at the Federal Capital Territory Command of the EFCC around 1:00 pm on Tuesday. He is being questioned by EFCC investigators regarding the alleged fraudulent contracts awarded by him to a company named Engirios Nigeria Limited, which is owned by his younger brother, Abubakar Sirika.
In February, the EFCC looked into the activities of the Aviation Ministry under Sirika, including allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation. Additionally, Sirika is being investigated for criminal breaches of trust and money laundering totaling N8,069,176,864.00 during his time in office.
Abubakar Sirika, the ex-minister’s younger brother, is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Engirios Nigeria Limited, as well as the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts, which are held at Zenith and Union Bank.
The EFCC has arrested and detained Abubakar Sirika in connection with N3,212,258,930.18 paid to Engirios Nigerian Limited’s bank account by the former minister. However, there is no evidence of any work being done on any of the contract items to date.
Sirika was arrested on Sunday, February 4, to assist the commission in its investigation of the Aviation Ministry’s financial expenditures during his tenure.
