Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has been apprehended in connection with an ongoing investigation into an alleged money laundering scheme amounting to over eight billion naira.
As reported by Punch, the ex-minister was reportedly taken into custody upon his arrival at the EFCC’s Federal Capital Territory Command in Abuja at approximately 1:00 pm on Tuesday.
According to credible sources within the anti-graft agency who spoke on condition of anonymity, the investigation revolves around fraudulent contracts awarded by Sirika to a company identified as Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his younger brother, Abubakar Sirika.
The alleged scheme involved inflating contract values and diverting public funds for personal gain. The contracts under scrutiny include the construction of the Terminal Building in Katsina Airport, the establishment of a Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Center in Katsina Airport, procurement and installation of infrastructure in Aviation House, Abuja, and acquisition of aircraft and a simulator for the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.
It’s reported that Abubakar Sirika, besides being the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Engirios Nigeria Limited, served as the sole signatory to the company’s bank accounts.
The EFCC alleges that funds totaling over three billion naira were transferred to Engirios Nigeria Limited without corresponding evidence of work completion on the contracted projects.
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