N2.7bn fraud: EFCC arraigns ex-minister Sirika, daughter Thursday

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will on Thursday, May 9, 2024, arraign the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) sitting in the Maitama Area of Abuja.

Sirika, a minister in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, will be arraigned on a six-count amended charge before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.

The former minister will be arraigned alongside three others, including his daughter, Fatima; Jalal Hamma and Al-Duraq Investment Limited, for abuse of office to the tune of N2.7 billion.

The arraignment was earlier slated for Tuesday, May 7, but due to EFCC prayer to amend the charge, a new date was given.

Buhari’s minister, Hadi Sirika, arrested for N8bn fraud

The EFCC, as part of investigations into the financial malfeasance allegedly committed by Sirika, “including fraudulent contracts awarded by the ministry under his watch”, on April 23, detained him in Abuja.

Sirika was invited by the anti-graft agency on the alleged contract malfeasance and was promptly interrogated and detained at Formella Street, Wuse 2 Zonal office of the commission.

“The former minister was invited for questioning by investigators handling the alleged contract frauds under his watch in the ministry. He honoured the invitation and has been detained as I am talking with you,” a source in the EFCC who pleaded anonymity told NAN.

The source added that the EFCC had been investigating the alleged contract frauds while Sirika was in office, adding that the former minister met with investigators before he was detained.

The Star