The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Hadi Abubakar Sirika, his brother Ahmad Abubakar Sirika, and two companies, Enginos Nigeria Limited and Samahah Integrated Investment Limited, on Thursday, May 23, 2024.
They appeared before Justice S.B. Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Garki on a 10-count charge of contract fraud amounting to N5.8 billion.
The charges include the misuse of official position to confer advantages on Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company linked to Ahmad Abubakar Sirika, for contracts at Katsina Airport. Specific counts detail contracts worth N1.3 billion for a terminal building and N3.8 billion for a fire truck maintenance center, awarded in August and November 2022 respectively. Another count involves holding private interests in aviation contracts totaling N5.7 billion.
Additionally, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika and Samahah Integrated Investment Limited are charged with receiving nearly N30 million from Tianaero Nigeria Limited, allegedly proceeds from illicit activities conducted by Hadi Sirika.
All defendants pleaded not guilty. Counsel for Hadi Sirika, M.J. Numa SAN, and counsel for Ahmad Sirika, M.A. Magaji SAN, requested bail under conditions previously granted by Justice S.C. Oriji, citing their clients’ ties to the community and lack of flight risk. The prosecution did not oppose the bail requests, noting that the defendants were already on administrative bail from the EFCC.
Justice Belgore granted bail at N100 million each with two sureties, one of whom must own property in the Federal Capital Territory. The defendants are prohibited from international travel without court permission. The trial is scheduled to commence on May 28 and 29, 2024.
