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Tag: Hadi Sirika

  • Fear grips Ex-Minister, Sirika, says “I’m not in any coalition against Tinubu”

    Fear grips Ex-Minister, Sirika, says “I’m not in any coalition against Tinubu”

    Scared Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, on Wednesday denied any link the opposition coalition against the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

    Sirika, a two-term minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, issued the rebuttal in an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief.

    “No I am not,” he said in reaction to reports suggesting he is joining forces against Tinubu.

    The ex-minister confirmed visiting the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday and held talks with presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.

    “Yesterday, I was with Chief Bayo Onanuga in the presidential villa and he said I was in the coalition.

    “I told him I was not and never will be. He said he got that from the reports. People can join coalition, it is democracy,” he stated.

    Early July, the coalition championed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the 2027 general elections.

    The coalition said it aims to provide a competent, capable, and compassionate leadership that prioritises the welfare of Nigerians.

    Notable members of the coalition include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Senate President David Mark, who has been appointed as the National Chairman of the ADC.

    Soft Landing?
    Since leaving office in 2023, the former minister is currently facing trial for alleged corruption and abuse of office.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused him of awarding multi-billion naira contracts to companies owned by his family members, including his daughter, Fatima Sirika, and son-in-law, Jalal Hamma.

    Specifically, the EFCC alleged that Sirika split a federal aviation contract worth N2.7 billion to bypass regulatory approvals and awarded them to family-controlled companies.

    The EFCC said Sirika’s daughter and son-in-law’s company, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, allegedly received N1.3 billion for an unexecuted aviation contract.

    But when asked if his visit to the Presidential Villa was to get a soft landing, the former minister said the case was still pending in court.

    He said that it is prejudice for him to comment on the issue.

    “The purpose of the meeting was to officially pay our condolences to the President who did extremely well after the demise of our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Also to appreciate him of what he has done and to assure him of the support of our party for which he is our leader.

    “Unfortunately, this matter is in court of law and it is not a matter that should be subjected to the press.

    ” I am very clean man. I have worked with people. the government has every instrument at their disposal to find my character,” he added.

  • How former Aviation minister Sirika used son-in-law’s unqualified company to commit ‘contract fraud of ‘N2.8bn’

    How former Aviation minister Sirika used son-in-law’s unqualified company to commit ‘contract fraud of ‘N2.8bn’

    A witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday informed the FCT High Court in Abuja, that former aviation minister, Hadi Sirika, awarded contracts to Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, a company, owned by his son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma, and not qualified to handle the repairs of Katsina Airport.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Sirika, alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, Jalal Sule Hamma, and Al Buraq Global Investment were arraigned by the anti-graft agency on May 9, 2024, on six-count contract fraud charges amounting to ₦2,825,032,220.97 during his tenure as Minister of Aviation, between 2019 and 2023.

    During cross-examination by counsel to the fourth defendant, Michael Numa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musa Odiniyan, the fifth prosecution witness (PW5) in the case, and a retired director in the Procurement Department, Ministry of Aviation, told the court that despite not being qualified, Al Buraq Global company was given the contract by the ministry under the leadership of Sirika.

    Odiniyan further added that the company could not have qualified for the bidding process or the contract award if open and competitive bidding had been done.

    “We use some criteria for determining the award of contracts for companies. I still maintain that if it was an open competitive bidding, the company Al Buraq may not have qualified,” he stated.

    Odiniyan, also disclosed that the reason for which the contract was paid for was simply to ensure that it was completed and commissioned by former President Buhari before he left office.

    “The reason for that payment was for the project to be implemented and commissioned before the exit of the former president. It was not for variation. The accounting officer sourced money from every relevant route to actualize the project. The N800 million is a budgetary allowance to support the actualization of the project,” he said.

    He revealed that two of the ministry’s contracts awarded to Alburak and Enginos on the Apron and Terminal Building of Katsina Airport, respectively, were captured under two different budget codes but appeared in a single code in the procurement department.

    The EFCC is pressing charges against Sirika for allegedly conferring undue advantage on Al Buraq by awarding contracts through improper influence, breaching procurement regulations, and defrauding the government.

  • Alleged N2.7bn contract fraud: BPP Director testifies against Sirika

    Alleged N2.7bn contract fraud: BPP Director testifies against Sirika

    An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness told an Abujja High Court that former aviation minister, Hadi Sirika’s company was not among five companies listed as bidders for the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport.

    The witness, Isaiah Yusuf, who testified as EFCC 4th witness (PW4) said this in his testimony on alleged N2.7 billion against  Sirika and three others.

    The EFCC dragged him alongside his daughter, Fatima; Jalal Sule Hamma and Al-Duraq Investment Limited, for abuse of office and contract fraud.

    They are standing trial before Justice Sylvanus Oriji on six counts.

    The minister who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari was accused of abusing his office as minister through the award of contracts to a company in which his daughter and her husband had interest.

    The offence allegedly committed by the former minister and others, according to the prosecution, are contrary to Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, to Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

    In addition, Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532 Acts of the Federal Capital Territory and punishable under the same sections.

    Yusuf who was led on evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, said he is director, procurement, Bureau Public Procurement (BPP).

    He said on March 16, 2022 a letter was received from the ministry of Aviation requesting for letter of ‘no objection ‘ to enable the ministry award contracts with restricted publicity.

    He told the court that if the contract was below N1.5 billion, which the ministerial tender board can approve.

    The witness added if the amount is above the N1.5billion, the BPP will issue ‘certificate of no objection ‘ that will enable the ministry or agency request to proceed to Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.

    Yusuf further said that after the approval is given, it goes back to the ministry or Agency that placed the request.

    ” The ministry of Aviation wrote two letters to BPP dated May 16 and May 17 requesting for ‘ due process no objection ‘ for restricted advertisement for bidders.

    ” The ministry brought names of selected companies,  five in number  for  the building of terminal and extension of Katsina Airport.

    ” BPP approved the five listed companies for the contract for N800 million but
    Al-Duraq Global Investment Limited and Apron Expansion was not on the list” he told the court.

    Yusuf told the court that by the time the approval was given to the ministry, the BPP received any communication.

    “It was when the EFCC contacted the BPP that we got to know that the project was split into two with costs at N1.4 billion and N1.3 billion.

    “The BPP Act, section 16(6) must be strictly adhered to before bidders can be awarded with contracts.

    ” The actual cost of the project brought to the BPP for evaluation was N800 million and the least bidder gets the contract should be awarded the contract.

    ” We do not know how the project turned into two contracts and how the Al-Duraq Global Investment Limited and Apron Expansion was awarded the contract” said.

    Meanwhile, Justice Oriji adjourned until July 5, for cross examination of the witness.

  • BREAKING: Sirika, brother plead not guilty over alleged N19.4bn fraud

    BREAKING: Sirika, brother plead not guilty over alleged N19.4bn fraud

    A former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; his brother, Ahmad Sirika; and a firm, Enginos Nigeria Limited, have been arraigned on a fresh ten-count charge before Justice Suleman Belgore of the the FCT High Court sitting in Garki, Abuja.

    In the new charge, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission accused Sirika, his brother, and Enginos of a N19.4 billion airport contract fraud.

    At the reading of the charge to the defendants, they all pleaded not guilty.

    Details later…

     

  • EFCC set to arraign former Aviation minister, Hadi Sirika

    EFCC set to arraign former Aviation minister, Hadi Sirika

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is 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, would be arraigned on a six -count amended charge.

    He will be arraigned 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.

    As part of EFCC investigations into the financial malfeasance allegedly committed by the former minister, “ including fraudulent contracts awarded by the ministry under his watch, had on April 23 detained him 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.

    “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,” a source in the EFCC who pleaded anonymous told NAN’’.

    The source also said 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 arraignment was earlier slated to hold on Tuesday but due to EFCC prayer to amend the charge, a new date was given.

  • Why we arrested Hadi Sirika – EFCC

    Why we arrested Hadi Sirika – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has invited a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, over alleged N8.06 billion money laundering.

    A reliable source from the commission, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the former minister was at the Federal Capital Territory Command of the EFCC at about 1:00 pm on Tuesday.

    Sirika is currently meeting with EFCC investigators to answer questions on the alleged fraudulent contracts awarded to Engirios Nigeria Ltd., allegedly owned by his younger brother, Abubakar Sirika.

    The anti-graft commission is investigating the former minister over alleged conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation.

    Others are criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to over N8.06 billion during his tenure as minister.

    The sum is said to be payment made for four aviation contracts to the company.

    Apart from being listed as the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abubakar was said to be the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts, domiciled in Zenith and Union Banks.

    It was gathered that the ex-minister’s younger brother, was also arrested and detained by the commission in connection with N3.21 billion allegedly paid to Engirios Nigerian ltd., during Sirika’s tenure.

    It was alleged that  no trace of work was seen  on any of the contract items to date.

  • EFCC summons Ex-Aviation Minister, Sirika

    EFCC summons Ex-Aviation Minister, Sirika

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has summoned the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, for questioning over the Nigeria Air Scandal.

    It was gathered that anti-graft officials have already questioned officials of Nigerian Air over the recent launch of the airline in Abuja.

    The minister is due to appear before the commission within the week to answer questions related to the launch of the airline, Nigerian Air, garbed in Ethiopian colours, the commission had already grilled some supposed officials of the national carrier.

    When contacted, spokesman of EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that there was an ongoing investigation but could not give further details.

    “I can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation in that regard,” he said.

    Over N3 billion was sunk into the project although some stakeholders insisted that over N80 billion was expended on the project.

     

  • Hadi Sirika reveals when Nigeria Air will eventually fly

    Hadi Sirika reveals when Nigeria Air will eventually fly

    Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has disclosed that the estimated take-off period of Nigeria Air would be in the next three or four weeks.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Sirika made the disclosure during an interaction with newsmen on Monday in Abuja.

    The former Aviation Minister said the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari incorporated Nigeria Air as a private company to rectify the failures of the past in operations of national carriers by government.

    “When we looked at past efforts to drive a national carrier by both the government and private sector, we saw that we need to initiate a different approach that will launch Nigeria into global reckoning.

    “The idea was that we should have less of government investment to make it a purely business driven venture that will work effectively and efficiently and achieve world class standard.

    “We therefore invited local and foreign investors with credible records to form part of the proposed national carrier. The shareholders of this airline went through due process before their selection,” he said.

    Sirika stressed that the display of the aeroplane that heralded the inauguration was a market strategy employed by the shareholders to launch the business in the minds of customers in Nigeria.

    He said that every business venture has different strategy of making lasting impression on the minds of its different target audience, adding that no money was spent in doing that on May 26.

    The former minister said that as an expert in aviation industry the estimated take off period of the Nigeria Air would be in the next three or four weeks.

    Meanwhile, industry experts have said starting an airline is tough and running a profitable one even tougher.

    They listed some requirements for establishing an airline to include obtaining air transport licence, airline operating permit, air operator certificate, and foreign carrier operating permit.

    It also requires registering an aircraft, aerodrome certification and air transport licence.

    Nigeria Air has an ownership structure of 49 per cent held by Ethiopian Airlines, 46 per cent by Nigerian private investors, including SAHCO, MRS and other institutional investors, and five per cent by the Federal Government.

    The airline was unveiled three days before the end of the Buhari administration.

  • Nigeria Air: Rep Nnaji replies Hadi Sirika after bribery accusation

    Nigeria Air: Rep Nnaji replies Hadi Sirika after bribery accusation

    Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji has reacted to the allegation by former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika regarding Nigeria Air.

    At a public hearing, Nnaji described the controversial project as a fraud and condemned the use of an Ethiopian Airlines’ registered aircraft during the launch in May.

    On Sunday, Sirika alleged that the former House Committee Chairman on Aviation asked him for 5 percent equity shares in the national carrier.

    In response, Nnaji called Sirika a drowning man and advised him to tell citizens “the truth about the contraption he sold to us as Nigeria Air”.

    Nnaji recalled that his committee was inundated with petitions from stakeholders after the announcement of Ethiopian Airlines as the core investor.

    The committee, he noted, requested for the evidence of the bid process and the business case prepared by the Nigerian Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).

    Nnaji said Sirika told them the document was being worked out by the ICRC and would make it available but failed to do so before Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) sued the Ministry and got an order stopping the project.

    “On May 20th 2023, l received reports of threats of mass resignations by key personnel of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),” he said.

    The threat, according to him, followed pressures from the Ministry to give waivers to Nigeria Air to enable it secure Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) so that it could take off before President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office.

    Nnaji said he issued a statement warning the former Minister against subverting the authority of NCAA because of its severe consequences on the air transport sector.

    “It is also common knowledge that the Nigerian institutional investors he mentioned as participants have all denied him.

    “It is not strange that Sirika came up with these spurious allegations against my person because l remained consistent in demanding that he followed due process. He should not deviate from the subject”, Nnaji added.

  • JUST IN: Hadi Sirika makes damning revelation, says Nigeria Air not unveiled by FG

    JUST IN: Hadi Sirika makes damning revelation, says Nigeria Air not unveiled by FG

    Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has disclosed that the national carrier, Nigeria Air recently launched, was not unveiled by the federal government of Nigeria but by the national carrier’s shareholders.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Sirika, who made the disclosure when he appeared on Arise TV on Sunday, also made a damning revelation about the Chairman of House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, accusing him of asking for 5 percent of Nigerian Air.

    Recall that during a hearing by the House of Representatives, Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation had declared the launch of Nigeria Air a fraud. Nnaji had picked holes in the project, criticising the federal government for what he described as poor handling. He said after careful evaluation of the matter, his committee was dissatisfied with the actions of Sirika.

    However, reacting, the former Aviation Minister said: “On the issue of Hon Nnaji who called Nigeria Air launch a fraud, I will respond now. I will say exactly what I told him in private when we spoke. Hon Nnaji asked me that I should give him 5% of Nigeria to carry him along with his people, and I said to him at that time, Honourable, a bidding process that has taken place, and some people won. So, I think you should go to those people and ask for the 5 percent.

    “He asked me that please I should give him 5 percent of Nigeria Air to carry him along with his people. I said to him that time that look, Honourable, but he did not understand me, this is a bidding process that has taken place and some persons won. So, I think he should go to those people and asked them about the 5 per cent”.

    The former Minister of Aviation, speaking further on the controversial Nigeria Air project, said that only N3 billion was released for the project and that the funds were spent on consultative services, stressing that the N3 billion had not been fully expended before he left the office on May 29.

    Sirika explained that the government did not pay for the chartered Ethiopian aircraft showcased as Nigeria Air, which he said was brought by Ethiopian Airlines to demonstrate commitment to the project.

    He denied the allegation of spending N85 billion on the project, emphasizing that only N5 billion was budgeted and not all of the N3 billion released was expended during his tenure.

    Sirika revealed that the federal government released only N3 billion for the Nigeria Air project in the last 7 years.

    According to him, the total money budgeted for the project since 2018 was N5 billion, out of which N3 billion had been disbursed.

    This is even as he declared that the country did not pay a dime for the Chartered Ethiopian Aircraft showcased a few days before President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration ended.

    “From 2016 to 2023, all the money voted and budgeted for Nigeria Air is N5 billion. But all that was released was in the neighbourhood of N3 billion, not N85 billion, and not all of the N3 billion has been expended as of the time I left office.

    “What has been done with the money is nothing but to get special advisory services, the AOC processes, salaries, consultive services, and the maintenance of the office in Abuja.

    “No contract was awarded by Hadi Sirika, these are the things the money was used for. And there is the Freedom of Information Act, people can apply and get all the information about what the money has been used for.

    “The N85 billion being mentioned is only in the imagination of the people carrying it about,” Hadi Sirka said.