The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Hadi Sirika, the former Minister of Aviation in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering totaling N8 billion related to Nigeria Air.
Sirika was reportedly brought to the EFCC’s Federal Capital Territory Command around 1:00 pm on Tuesday for questioning.
He is being interrogated regarding suspected irregular contracts awarded to a company called Engirios Nigeria Limited, which is owned by his younger brother, Abubakar Sirika.
Earlier this year in February, the EFCC launched an inquiry into Sirika’s tenure at the Aviation Ministry, focusing on accusations of conspiracy, abuse of office, misuse of public funds, and contract overpricing, which allegedly involved approximately N8,069,176,864.00.
Abubakar Sirika, apart from serving as the Managing Director and CEO of Engirios Nigeria Limited, is reported to have been the sole signatory to the company’s accounts held at Zenith and Union Banks.
The investigation revealed that the ex-minister’s brother, Abubakar Sirika, was also detained in relation to N3,212,258,930.18 transferred to their company’s bank account by Hadi Sirika.
There is reportedly no evidence of progress on any of the contracted projects to date.
Hadi Sirika was initially apprehended on February 4th to aid the EFCC’s investigation into the Aviation Ministry’s financial operations during his tenure.
