The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama on Thursday. Sirika, a minister in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, will be arraigned on a six-count amended charge alongside three others, including his daughter, Fatima; Jalal Hamma and Al-Duraq Investment Ltd, for abuse of office to the tune of N2.7 billion.
The EFCC investigations into the financial malfeasance allegedly committed by the former minister, including fraudulent contracts awarded by the Ministry under his watch, led to his detention on April 23 in Abuja. Sirika was invited by the Abuja Zonal Command of the Commission on the alleged contract malfeasance and was promptly interrogated and detained at the Formella Street, Wuse 2 Zonal office of the Commission.
According to a source in the EFCC, "The former minister (Sirika) was invited for questioning by investigators handling the alleged contract frauds under his watch in the ministry. He honoured the invitation and has been detained as I am talking with you." The source also revealed that EFCC had been investigating the alleged contract frauds while the minister was in office, and he had even met with investigators before he was detained.
The allegations against Sirika and others include fraudulent contracts awarded by the Ministry of Aviation, including a contract for the procurement of security equipment worth N1.2 billion, and another contract for the construction of a terminal building at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, worth N1.5 billion.
The EFCC alleges that Sirika and others used their positions to influence the award of these contracts to companies owned by them or their cronies, and that they received kickbacks and gratifications in the process.
This arraignment is a significant development in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, and it shows that no one is above the law. The EFCC has been working tirelessly to investigate and prosecute corrupt officials, and this case is just one example of their efforts. The arraignment of Hadi Sirika and others is a warning to other corrupt officials that they will be held accountable for their actions.
The EFCC has been investigating Sirika and others for several months, and the agency has gathered evidence of their alleged wrongdoing. The agency has also frozen several bank accounts linked to the former minister and his daughter, as part of efforts to recover the proceeds of the alleged fraud.
The arraignment of Sirika and others is a testament to the EFCC's commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring that those who abuse their positions are held accountable. The agency has been working to recover stolen assets and to bring corrupt officials to justice, and this case is just one example of their efforts.
As the EFCC continues to investigate and prosecute corrupt officials, it is clear that no one is above the law. The agency's efforts are a reminder that corruption will not be tolerated in Nigeria, and that those who engage in it will face the full weight of the law.
The arraignment of Hadi Sirika and others is a significant development in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, and it shows that the EFCC is committed to ensuring that those who abuse their positions are held accountable. As the agency continues to investigate and prosecute corrupt officials, it is clear that no one is above the law, and that corruption will not be tolerated in Nigeria.
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