Nigeria Air: EFCC indicts Sirika for ‘awarding’ multi-billion contracts to daughter, in-law, others
Story highlights
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has indicted a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, in an alleged contract fraud involving his daughter and in-law as well as fraudulent practices associated with the Nigeria Air debacle.
The indictment is captured in the charges instituted against the ex-aviation minister by the EFCC.
On April 30, the EFCC Spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, disclosed to Nairametrics about the anti-graft agency’s plans to prosecute the former minister.
Sirika served under former President Muhammadu Buhari as Minister of Aviation.
A reliable source had said the arrest is also linked to the botched Nigeria Air.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had cancelled the Nigeria Air deal on August 31, 2023.
He had revealed on January 31, 2024, that “the whole composition and totality of the deal is merely Ethiopian Air flying the Nigerian flag,” admitting that the EFCC was investigating the whole deal.
Based on the report by Channels Television, Sirika was accused of diverting public funds into the accounts and companies tied to his daughter, Fatima; son in-law, Jalal Hamma; and associates.
The trio will most likely be arraigned before an FCT High Court today alongside Al-Duraq Investment Ltd.
The charge read,
