Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika and his brother, Ahmad Sirika, have yesterday pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charge of alleged N19.4bn fraud.
The two Sirikas and a company, Enginos Nigeria Limited, are facing an amended 10-count fraud charge before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT).
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), is accusing them of an involvement in an airport contract fraud.
One of the counts read: ”That you, Hadi Sirika, while being the Minister of Aviation, on or about August 18, 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon Enginos Nigeria Limited, whose alter ego, Ahmad Sirika is your biological brother, by using your position to influence the award to them; the contract for the construction of a Terminal Building at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1.345billion, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same section.
Another read: “That you, Hadi Sirika, while being Minister of Aviation, on or about 3d November 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon Enginos Nigeria Limited, whose alter ego, Ahmad Sirika is your blood brother, by using your position to influence the award to them, the contract for the establishment of Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport for the sum of N3.811billion, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same section”.
