Amidst swirling allegations of money laundering, contract fraud, and the collapse of the Nigeria Air project, the spotlight has shifted decisively onto former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared its intent to bring Sirika to court over these alleged transgressions.
In a recent conversation with Nairametrics, EFCC Spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the agency’s resolve to pursue legal action against Sirika.
“He (Sirika) is going to be charged to court, but it may not be immediate…but definitely, he is going to be sued,” Oyewale stated.
The possibility of Sirika’s arraignment looms large, with indications suggesting it could occur sooner rather than later.
Sirika, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, finds himself at the center of a maelstrom of accusations regarding financial impropriety and mismanagement during his tenure as Minister of Aviation.
While specifics remain undisclosed, sources within the EFCC have hinted at an ongoing investigation that is expected to culminate in prosecution.
The cloud of suspicion hovering over Sirika extends to his involvement in the ill-fated Nigeria Air project.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made headlines when he terminated the Nigeria Air deal, revealing that it essentially amounted to Ethiopian Air flying under the Nigerian banner.
Keyamo’s revelations, coupled with the EFCC’s scrutiny, cast further doubt on the integrity of Sirika’s stewardship.
The genesis of Sirika’s legal woes can be traced back to the arrest of his brother, Abubakar Ahmad Sirika, by EFCC operatives three months prior.
Abubakar’s apprehension, linked to alleged contract fraud within the aviation ministry, served as a precursor to the intensifying scrutiny surrounding Hadi Sirika.
The allegations against him span a spectrum of offenses, ranging from abuse of office to money laundering, totaling a staggering sum of N8,069,176,864.
At the heart of the EFCC’s investigation lies a series of aviation contracts awarded to Engirios Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Sirika’s younger brother.
The commission’s mandate to combat financial crimes empowers it to delve into such matters with the aim of upholding transparency and accountability within public institutions.
While these developments cast a shadow over Sirika’s legacy, it’s essential to uphold the principle of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law.
Nonetheless, the impending legal proceedings underscore the gravity of the allegations leveled against him, marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against corruption.
Sirika’s tenure as Minister of Aviation, spanning from August 22, 2019, to May 29, 2023, now stands as a testament to the complexities and challenges inherent in navigating the intersection of public service and accountability.
As the legal saga unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the imperative to uphold the highest standards of integrity and governance within Nigeria’s corridors of power.
