Reports indicate that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken action against Abubakar Sirika, the brother of former aviation minister Hadi Sirika, freezing approximately N3 billion discovered in a bank account associated with him.
Abubakar Sirika was reportedly questioned by the EFCC in connection with an alleged contract fraud totaling N8.06 billion within the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
According to sources cited by The Nation, Abubakar was arrested on Sunday as part of the ongoing investigation into the aviation ministry during Sirika’s tenure.
The EFCC’s investigation is said to encompass allegations ranging from conspiracy, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds to contract inflation, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering.
Significantly, the sum of N3,212,258,930.18 was traced to Engirios Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Abubakar, who holds the position of a level 16 officer and deputy director within the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
Investigators reportedly discovered that Abubakar’s company was awarded four substantial contracts during his brother’s tenure at the ministry. Despite payments totaling N3,212,258,930.18 being made, it is alleged that the projects associated with these contracts were not executed.
An EFCC official, speaking to the newspaper, disclosed that the contracts in question were awarded between August 2022 and May 2023. Abubakar Sirika is said to have provided the commission with valuable information during his interrogation, shedding light on the financial dealings within the Aviation Ministry during his brother’s leadership.
