Hadi Sirika, brother plead not guilty to alleged N19.4bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned former Minister of Aviation, 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, before Justice Suleman Belgore of the FCT High Court sitting in Garki, Abuja.

The duo have been arraigned on a 10-count amended charge dated May 13 and filed on May 14, 2024.

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.

Recall, Sirika was first detained by the EFCC on April 23.

On May 14, the arraignment stalled because the defendants failed to show up in court.

The Cable reports the former Aviation Minister is also standing trial on another six-count charge bordering on the same offenses.

He was arraigned on May 9 alongside Fatima, his daughter; Jalal Hamma, his son-in-law; and Al-Duraq Investment Limited; over an alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud.

All the defendants pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N100 million 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.