The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken a significant step in its investigation into financial impropriety within Nigeria's aviation sector by apprehending Hadi Sirika, the former Minister of Aviation under President Muhammadu Buhari's administration.
Sirika's arrest is linked to an ongoing probe involving an N8 billion money laundering case related to the Nigeria Air project. He was summoned to the EFCC's Federal Capital Territory Command for questioning, where he is being interrogated about suspected fraudulent contracts awarded to Engirios Nigeria Limited, a company owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.
The investigation follows earlier scrutiny of Sirika's tenure in office, which included allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, contract inflation, criminal breaches of trust, and money laundering totaling N8,069,176,864.00.
Abubakar Sirika, the managing director of Engirios Nigerian Limited, has also been detained by the EFCC concerning payments amounting to N3,212,258,930.18 made to his company without evidence of completed work.
Sirika's arrest underscores the EFCC's commitment to combating corruption and holding accountable those implicated in financial misconduct, particularly within critical sectors such as aviation.
