Former Minister of Aviation Accused of Splitting Federal Government Contracts Among Family Members

Strategic Insights -

Christopher Adekunle Odofin, an investigating officer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has testified in the trial of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, alleging that the defendant used his position to split federal government aviation contracts among his family members. The contracts, valued at N2.7 billion, were awarded to companies owned by Sirika's family members, including his daughter Fatima and son-in-law Hamma Jalal Sule. The witness claimed that the contracts were awarded without the necessary approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Key Takeaways:

  • The witness alleged that Sirika used his position as a sitting minister to split a single contract into two, awarding N1.3 billion to Enginos Nigeria Limited, owned by his brother Hamad Sirika, and N1.4 billion to Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd, owned by his daughter and son-in-law.
  • Both contracts were awarded on the same day, August 18, 2022, and were used to avoid obtaining the necessary approvals from the BPP and FEC.
  • Investigations showed that Fatima Hadi Sirika, the second defendant, owned 500,000 out of 1,000,000 shares of Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd until February 2024, making her a person of significant control.
  • Hamma Jalal Sule, the third defendant, also owned 500,000 shares of Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd until February 2024 and was the signatory to its account in Zenith Bank.
  • The witness disclosed that the Ministry of Aviation paid N1.3 billion with some fractions after tax to the Zenith Bank account of Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd, representing 100 percent payment of the contract sum.
  • A cumulative sum of N182 million was transferred on different dates to the personal account of Hamma Jalal Sule, with N110 million transferred to a fixed deposit account belonging to him.
  • The witness also revealed that there were other transfers to individuals and companies unconnected to the execution of the Apron Expansion contract.
  • The extra-judicial statements of the second and third defendants to the EFCC were admitted in court after objections from their counsel failed to stop their admission.
  • The judge has adjourned the matter till October 27, 28, and 29, 2025 for commencement of trial within trial to determine if the statements were taken voluntarily.

Statistics:

  • Total contract sum: N2.7 billion
  • Contract sum paid to Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd: N1.3 billion
  • Amount transferred to Hamma Jalal Sule's personal account: N182 million
  • Amount transferred to Hamma Jalal Sule's fixed deposit account: N110 million
  • Amount transferred to Trimak Engineering Services Ltd: N500 million
  • Amount still in Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd's account: Over N549 million

Sources:

  • "EFCC witness testifies against Hadi Sirika, daughter, others", The Punch, [no date]
  • "Ex-Minister Abubakar Hadi Sirika's trial: Witness alleges he used position to split contracts", Newsmen, [no date]