Former Aviation Minister’s Brother Arraigned in Contract Fraud Case

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Ahmad Abubakar Sirika, brother of former aviation minister Hadi Sirika, over an alleged contract fraud.

Ahmad Sirika was arraigned alongside his brother, Hadi Sirika, and Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Ahmad. The arraignment is based on a 10-count amended charge dated May 13 and filed on May 14, 2024.

The charges allege that Hadi Sirika, during his tenure as aviation minister, abused his office by awarding contracts worth N19.4 billion to Enginos Nigeria Limited, owned by his brother. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

The arraignment, originally scheduled for May 14, was delayed because the defendants did not appear in court. This new development follows an earlier case in which Hadi Sirika was already standing trial on a six-count charge related to similar offences.

On May 9, he was arraigned alongside his daughter Fatima, his son-in-law Jalal Hamma, and Al-Duraq Investment Limited over an alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud. They all pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N100 million each.

Hadi Sirika served as aviation minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2023. The EFCC began investigating the alleged contract fraud while he was still in office.

Ahmad Sirika’s involvement in the case has intensified scrutiny of the former minister’s tenure and the operations of his family members’ businesses.

The court proceedings are ongoing, with both brothers maintaining their innocence in the face of the charges.