Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, Accused of Abuse of Office and Money Laundering

Strategic Insights -

In a trial at the FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has been accused of abuse of office and money laundering. The prosecution, led by Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, has presented evidence that Sirika used his position to split federal government aviation contracts among his family members. The contracts, valued at N2.7 billion, were allegedly awarded to companies owned by Sirika's relatives, including his daughter, son-in-law, and brother.

Key Takeaways:

  • The prosecution has presented evidence that Sirika used his position as Minister to split a single contract for the Terminal Building and Apron Expansion into two parts, awarding one part to a company owned by his brother, Enginos Nigeria Limited, and the other part to a company owned by his daughter and son-in-law, Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd.
  • The contracts were awarded on August 18, 2022, and were valued at N1.3 billion and N1.4 billion, respectively.
  • The second defendant, Fatima Hadi Sirika, owned 500,000 shares of Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd and remained a person of significant control of the company until February 2024.
  • The third defendant, Hamma Jalal Sule, also owned 500,000 shares of Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd and remained a person of significant control of the company until February 2024.
  • The Ministry of Aviation under Hadi Sirika paid N1.3 billion 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 from the Zenith Bank account of Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd to the personal account of the third defendant, Hamma Jalal Sule.
  • The second defendant, Fatima Hadi Sirika, received N7.4 million in her Jaiz Bank account, while the third defendant, Hamma Jalal Sule, received N8.2 million in his Access Bank Plc account.
  • There were other transfers to individuals and companies unconnected to the execution of the Apron Expansion contract.
  • The witness revealed that out of the total contract sum of N1.3 billion paid, the sum of over N549 million is still in the company's account which has an interim injunction placed on it.
  • Nothing has been done on the contract, according to the witness.

Statistics:

  • N2.7 billion: The total value of the contracts allegedly awarded to Sirika's relatives.
  • N1.3 billion: The value of the contract awarded to Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Sirika's brother.
  • N1.4 billion: The value of the contract awarded to Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd, a company owned by Sirika's daughter and son-in-law.
  • N1.3 billion: The amount paid by the Ministry of Aviation to the Zenith Bank account of Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd.
  • N182 million: The cumulative sum transferred from the Zenith Bank account of Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd to the personal account of the third defendant, Hamma Jalal Sule.
  • N7.4 million: The amount transferred to the Jaiz Bank account of the second defendant, Fatima Hadi Sirika.
  • N8.2 million: The amount transferred to the Access Bank Plc account of the third defendant, Hamma Jalal Sule.
  • N549 million: The amount still in the company's account which has an interim injunction placed on it.

Sources:

  • The trial of the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, at the FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
  • The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
  • The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
  • The Federal Ministry of Aviation.
  • Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, prosecution counsel.
  • Christopher Adekunle Odofin, the 12th prosecution witness.