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Cabinet officials

Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika Accused of Awarding Contracts to Family Members

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Hadi Sirika, Nigeria's former Minister of Aviation, has been accused of awarding multi-billion-naira contracts to companies owned by his family members. The allegations were made during his ongoing trial in the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. According to the testimony of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) investigating officer, Christopher Odofin, Sirika manipulated a contract to build a terminal building and apron expansion project. What was originally a single contract was unlawfully split into two, with one portion awarded to Enginos Nigeria Limited for N1.3 billion and the other to Al Buraq Global Investment Limited for N1.4 billion. Both contracts were awarded on the same day, August 18, 2022.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused Hadi Sirika, the former Minister of Aviation, of awarding contracts to companies owned by his family members.
  • The contracts in question were for the construction of a terminal building and apron expansion project, with a total value of N2.7 billion.
  • Sirika allegedly split the contract into two, awarding one portion to his younger brother's company, Enginos Nigeria Limited, for N1.3 billion, and the other to his daughter's company, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, for N1.4 billion.
  • Both contracts were awarded on the same day, August 18, 2022, and the funds were paid into the company's Zenith Bank account, but no work has been done on the project to date.
  • Fatima Sirika, the former minister's daughter, held 500,000 shares in Al Buraq and controlled the company's account, while her husband, Hamma Jalal Sule, also held 500,000 shares and worked for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
  • The couple used their company to secure contracts from the ministry, and significant portions of the payment were transferred to their personal accounts.
  • Over N549 million remains untouched in Al Buraq's account, which is now under interim forfeiture.

Statistics:

  • N2.7 billion: The total value of the contracts awarded for the construction of a terminal building and apron expansion project.
  • N1.3 billion: The value of the contract awarded to Enginos Nigeria Limited, owned by Hadi Sirika's younger brother.
  • N1.4 billion: The value of the contract awarded to Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, owned by Hadi Sirika's daughter.
  • N182 million: The amount transferred to Hamma Jalal Sule's personal account.
  • N110 million: The amount transferred to Hamma Jalal Sule's fixed deposit account.
  • N7.4 million: The amount transferred to Fatima Sirika's Jaiz Bank account.
  • N8.2 million: The amount deposited into Hamma Jalal Sule's salary account at Access Bank.
  • N500 million: The amount transferred to Trimak Engineering Services Limited, a company not involved in the apron expansion project.
  • N549 million: The amount remaining untouched in Al Buraq's account.

Sources:

  • [Punch Newspaper, October 24, 2025]
  • [Section 15(4) and 17(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA)]
  • [Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) testimony]

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