The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken action against Abubakar Ahmad Sirika, the brother of former minister Hadi Sirika, freezing one of his bank accounts due to allegations of an N8.06 billion contract fraud within the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
The anti-corruption agency’s move follows the arrest of Abubakar Sirika in connection with a reported N3.2 billion contract fraud linked to his private company, Engirios Nigeria Limited.
According to reports from The Nation, Abubakar Sirika, who also holds a position as a Level-16 officer and deputy director in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, is identified as the Managing Director/CEO of Engirios Nigeria Limited and the sole signatory to the company’s accounts in two banks.
Investigations have revealed that during his brother’s tenure as minister, four significant contracts were awarded to Abubakar’s company, yet there is purportedly no evidence of work completed on any of these projects.
These contracts, which include the construction of the Terminal Building in Katsina Airport, Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport, Procurement and installation of elevators, air conditioners, and power generator house in Aviation House, Abuja, and Procurement of Magnus Aircraft and simulator for Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, are alleged to have gone unfulfilled.
EFCC investigators assert that N3.2 billion from the total contract sum was paid to Engirios Nigeria Limited, with subsequent transfers made to various entities by Abubakar Sirika. The investigators claim that there is no documentation to support the completion of any work related to these contracts.
Hadi Sirika, who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation following the reelection of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, had previously held the position of Minister of State in 2015. His tenure was also marked by controversy, including his involvement in the Nigeria Air project.
