The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika, over the botched Nigeria Air project.
Sirika, who is a subject of the ongoing N8,069,176,864 money laundering probe, arrived at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command of the EFCC at about 1:00 pm on Tuesday.
EFCC sources who confirmed the arrest, said Sirika was being drilled at the EFCC office in Wuse 2, Abuja.
One of the sources said, “Following his arrival at the command, Sirika met with EFCC investigators to answer questions on alleged fraudulent contracts awarded by him to a company known as Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.”
He said, “Hadi Sirika who was taken into our FCT custody. He is currently meeting with EFCC investigators over the alleged N8,069,176,864.00 aviation ministry contract fraud.
“The N8,069,176,864 aviation ministry contract fraud was carried out in connivance with his younger brother, Abubakar Sirika, through the latter’s company,” he stated.
The EFCC had in February 2024 opened an investigation into the activities of the aviation ministry under Sirika for conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds and contract inflation.
Other issues he has been investigated are criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to N8,069,176,864 during his tenure in office.
The sum is said to be for four aviation contracts from the former minister to Engirios Nigeria Limited,.
