Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested Abubakar Sirika following his failure to execute contracts awarded to him by the Federal Ministry of Aviation totalling N8 billion, THISDAY has learnt.
Abubakar is a brother to the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.
THISDAY Checks showed that the suspect was awarded four major contracts by his brother, the former minister “without executing even a single one”.
Sirika, a Level 16 officer (deputy director) in the Ministry of Water Resources was paid N8 billion without executing any contract.
The anti-graft agency arrested him on Sunday. He is presently facing interrogation at the Wuse Zonal Office of the agency.
“He received four contracts to the tune of N8 billion. All the money was paid to him but not a single job was executed”, a source close to the investigation told THISDAY.
“We arrested him on Sunday. He is held at Wuse zonal office. He is telling us how he spent the money and where he kept it”, the source said.
It was gathered that N3, 212,258,930.18 was traced to Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by Abubakar.
Sirika is listed as the company’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.
Besides, he was found to be the sole signatory to the two accounts linked to the firm with two banks.
The four contracts the former minister awarded to his brother include construction of the Terminal Building in Katsina Airport (N1,345,586,500.00); Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport (N3, 811,497,685.00, procurement and installation of elevators, air conditioners and power generator house in Aviation House, Abuja (N615,195,275.000) and procurement of Magnus Aircraft and simulator for Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria (N2, 296,897, 404.00).
