Nigeria Air: Former Aviation Minister Sirika, daughter charged with N2.7bn fraud

Barring any last-minute changes, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will charge Hadi Sirika, the former Minister of Aviation, with an alleged N2.7 billion fraud in connection with the failed Nigerian Air project, today (Thursday).

Sirika, his daughter Fatimah, and two others will be charged with six charges before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory’s High Court in Abuja.

According to court records seen by journalists on Wednesday, the other defendants are one Jalal Hamma and Al-Buraq Investment Ltd.

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The EFCC accused Sirika of giving some firms an unfair advantage between April 2022 and March 2023 in Abuja.

The anti-graft agency accused Sirika of abusing his position by giving Tianero Nigeria Limited a consultancy contract worth N1.3 billion for the Nigerian Air Start-up.

The EFCC said the ex-minister violated Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act of 2000.

In another count, the anti-graft agency alleged that on or about August 18, 2022 in Abuja, Sirika “did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, whose alter ego, Fatima Hadi Sirika and Jalal Sule Hamma are your daughter and son-in-law respectively, by using your position to influence the award to them, the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1.498,300,750.00.”

Sirika, according to the anti-graft agency, breached law 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and was thus subject to penalty under the same law.

In count three, the EFCC charged Sirika with criminal breach of trust “while being the Minister of Aviation and in such capacity as a public officer on or about August 18, 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court.”

The anti-graft agency arrested the former aviation minister in late April and interrogated him for several days.

cc: Punch Ng