The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former 1minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika over an alleged contract fraud.
He was arraigned alongside his brother, Ahmad Abubakar Sirika; and Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Abubakar; on a 10-count amended charge dated 13 May 2024, and filed a day later.
Sirika is alleged to have abused his office by awarding contracts worth N19.4 billion to Enginos Nigeria Limited.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
On 14 May, Sirika’s arraignment was stalled because the defendants did not show up in court.
He is also standing trial on another six-count charge bordering on the same offences.
He was arraigned on 9 May alongside his daughter, Fatima; his son-in-law, Jalal Hamma; and Al-Duraq Investment Limited over an alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty and were granted N100 million bail each.
Sirika was Aviation Minister in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2023.
The EFCC began investigating the alleged contract fraud against Sirika while he was still in office.
He also reportedly met with investigators at the time.
The EFCC first detained Sirika on 23 April.
