Sirika’s Trial: EFCC Witness Says Abel Enitan Was Not Charged

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness has admitted that the former Chairman of the Tenders Board of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Abel Enitan, now Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, was not charged over the disputed contract for the expansion of the Katsina Airport apron.

The witness, Christopher Odofin, made the admission I’m l during cross-examination at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, is standing trial over alleged abuse of office and contract fraud.

Odofin also confirmed that the ministry’s former Director of Procurement, Musa Odiniya, who allegedly cleared the contract award, was not among those being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency.

Enitan was the Permanent Secretary of the Aviation Ministry when the Federal Government awarded the contract to Al-Buraq Global Investment Limited.

Under cross-examination by Efut Okoi, counsel to the second defendant, Fatima Hadi Sirika, the witness admitted that neither Enitan nor Odiniya was standing trial over the disputed contract.

Okoi had asked whether the Tenders Board chairman, who signed the contract documents, and the Director of Procurement, who endorsed the award process, were facing prosecution for any alleged wrongdoing relating to the contract.

Responding, Odofin confirmed that both officials had not been charged in connection with the matter.

The witness further admitted that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which now operates as a commercial entity, had not petitioned against any of the defendants.

Similarly, while being questioned by another defence lawyer, P.A. Adewuyi, Odofin confirmed that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) had not filed any petition against the defendants over the contract award.

The witness also acknowledged that the former minister was not indicted on the face of the contract documents tendered by the EFCC to support its allegations.

He, however, maintained that Sirika was being prosecuted for alleged abuse of office based on the outcome of the commission’s investigation.

Sirika is standing trial alongside his daughter, Fatima; his son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule; and Al-Buraq Global Investment Limited before Justice Sylvanus Oriji on a six-count charge bordering on alleged abuse of office and contract fraud.

According to the EFCC, the former minister abused his office by allegedly conferring an unfair advantage on Al-Buraq Global Investment Limited through his influence in the award of the contract for the expansion of the Katsina Airport apron.

The contract was valued at N1,498,300,750.

During the proceedings, the witness was also asked about reports that the Federal Government had re-awarded the disputed contract to Al-Buraq Global Investment Limited on March 17, 2025.

Odofin said he was unaware of the development.

Justice Oriji has adjourned the case until October 28 for the cross-examination of the witness by counsel to the fourth defendant, Al-Buraq Global Investment Limited.

Answering questions from another lawyer, Mr P. A. Adewuyi, the witness also admitted that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), did not file any petition against any of the defendant in respect of the contract award.

When reminded that the disputed contract for which Al-Buraq Global Investment Ltd was put on trial  by EFCC has since March 17, 2025 being re-awarded to the same Al-Buraq Global Investment Ltd by the federal government, the witness said he was not aware of the development.

Sirika is charged alongside his daughter, Fatima and son-in-law, Hamma Jalal  Sule and a company, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.

They are being prosecuted by EFCC, before Justice Sylvanus Oriji on a six-count charge bordering on abuse of office and contract fraud.

The former minister, according to EFCC, abused his office as minister by conferring unfair advantage upon Al Buraq Global Investment Limited by using his position to influence the award of the contract for the apron extension at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1,498,300,750.

Meanwhile, Justice Sylvanus Oriji has fixed October 28, for cross examination of the witness by the 4th defendant, Al-Buraq Global Investment Ltd.