The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended Hadi Sirika, a former Minister of Aviation, in connection with an ongoing investigation concerning money laundering totaling N8,069,176,864.00.
Sirika is under scrutiny for allegedly authorizing fraudulent contracts for Engirios Nigeria Limited, a company owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika. This information was confirmed by EFCC sources to The PUNCH.
In January, Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, disclosed that the EFCC was probing the controversial Nigeria Air deal orchestrated by Sirika.
Sirika, who served as the aviation minister during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, is facing interrogation over the authenticity of contracts awarded to Engirios Nigeria Limited.
Reports from May 2023 revealed that the aircraft unveiled by then-President Buhari shortly before leaving office was actually over a decade old and belonged to Ethiopian Airlines. According to Plane Spotters, the aircraft’s Mode was S Q4005C, with Serial Number 40965/4075.
Critics, including the Concerned Northern Forum, denounced the “Nigeria Air” launch as a half-baked project, alleging that it was propelled by falsehoods, deception, and corruption involving billions of naira.
Furthermore, the current Minister of Aviation disclosed that the administration led by Bola Tinubu did not have plans to revitalize any local airline to serve as the national carrier. Instead, they aim to establish a new, properly structured national carrier.
