The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Sirika alongside three co-defendants—Fatima Hadi Sirika, Jalal Sule Hamma, and Al Buraq Global Investment—on a six-count amended charge of contract fraud amounting to N2,825,032,220.97 (Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Five Million, Thirty-Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Twenty Naira, Ninety-Seven Kobo).
During cross-examination by Michael Numa, SAN, counsel for the fourth defendant, Odiniyan reaffirmed that Al Buraq Global Investment lacked the qualifications to secure the contract under a transparent and competitive bidding process.
“We use specific criteria to determine the eligibility of companies for contract awards. I maintain that, under an open competitive bidding process, Al Buraq would not have qualified,” Odiniyan stated.
The witness further disclosed that the payment for the contract was expedited to ensure its completion and commissioning by former President Muhammadu Buhari before the end of his administration.
“The payment was made to implement and commission the project before the former president’s exit. It was not meant for variation. The accounting officer sourced funds from various relevant channels to ensure the project’s actualization. The N800 million was a budgetary allowance to support the project’s completion,” Odiniyan explained.
Odiniyan, a retired director from the Ministry of Aviation’s Procurement Department, also revealed irregularities in the ministry’s handling of contracts. He noted that contracts awarded to Al Buraq Global Investment and another company, Enginos, for work on the Apron and Terminal Building of Katsina Airport, were assigned separate budget codes but appeared under a single code within the Procurement Department.
Justice Oriji adjourned the case to March 10, 2025, for the continuation of the cross-examination.
