The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, over an ongoing N8bn money laundering investigation.
Reports say the embattled Sirika arrived at the Federal Capital Territory Command of the EFCC in the early hours of Tuesday afternoon.
He is being quizzed by EFCC investigators over alleged fraudulent contracts awarded by him to a company known as Engirios Nigeria Limited, purpotedly owned by his younger brother, Abubakar Sirika.
Impeccable sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the arrest to journalists on Tuesday. “Yes, that was Hadi Sirika who was taken into our FCT custody. He is currently meeting with EFCC investigators over the alleged N8bn Aviation Ministry contract fraud,” a source said.
Credible sources revealed that the Commission is investigating the activities of the Aviation Ministry for conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation.
Others are criminal breaches of trust and money laundering amounting to N8bn under Sirika’s watch. The sum is said to be related to several aviation contracts from the former minister to a company known as Engirios Nigeria Limited, which is owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.
Apart from being listed as the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abubakar is said to be the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts, domiciled in Zenith and Union Banks.
Sources also say the younger Sirika had been picked up earlier by the EFCC that the, in connection with a N3bn paid to his company account, Engirios Nigerian Limited’s, bank account by the former minister.