The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation over an ongoing N8 billion money laundering probe of Nigeria Air.
Sirika who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration arrived at the Federal Capital Territory Command of the EFCC at about 1:00 pm on Tuesday.
As aviation minister he had supervised the Air Nigeria project that did not take off.
Sirika was interrogated by EFCC investigators over alleged fraudulent contracts awarded by him to a company known as Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.
The EFCC had earlier this year investigated the activities of the Aviation Ministry under Sirika for conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation.
Others are criminal breaches of trust and money laundering amounting to N8,069,176,864.00 during Sirika’s tenure in office.
Apart from being listed as the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abubakar is said to be the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts, domiciled in Zenith and Union Banksy.
It was gathered that the ex-minister’s younger brother, Abubakar Sirika, has been arrested and detained by the commission in connection with N3,212,258,930.18 paid to his company, Engirios Nigerian Limited’s, bank account by the former minister.
It was noted that there is no trace of work done on any of the contract items to date.
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