The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering totaling N8 billion.
Sirika was reportedly taken into custody at the EFCC’s Federal Capital Territory Command on Tuesday afternoon.
According to reports, Sirika is being questioned regarding purportedly fraudulent contracts awarded to a company named Engirios Nigeria Limited, allegedly owned by his younger brother, Abubakar Sirika.
Sources familiar with the matter, speaking anonymously, confirmed the arrest, stating that Sirika is currently being interrogated by EFCC investigators over the suspected N8 billion contract fraud during his tenure at the Aviation Ministry.
The EFCC is said to be probing several allegations against the Aviation Ministry, including conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, contract inflation, breach of trust, and money laundering under Sirika’s leadership.
The investigation reportedly focuses on aviation contracts awarded to Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by Sirika’s younger sibling, who serves as the company’s Managing Director and CEO and is the sole signatory to its bank accounts held at Zenith and Union Banks.
Earlier, Abubakar Sirika had reportedly been apprehended by the EFCC concerning a separate N3 billion payment into Engirios Nigeria Limited’s bank account, allegedly made by the former aviation minister.
