The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen N3 billion traced to Abubakar Ahmad Sirika’s account. Allegations of an N8.06 billion contract fraud in the Federal Ministry of Aviation led to Abubakar’s questioning.
During the previous administration, four major contracts were awarded to Abubakar’s company, Engirios Nigeria Limited. EFCC is investigating various financial irregularities including conspiracy, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation.
Engirios Nigeria Limited, where Abubakar, a Level -16 civil servant serves as the Managing Director, received N3,212,258,930.18. However, no evidence of contract execution has been found.
Abubakar was detained and interrogated by EFCC for hours, providing valuable insights into the ministry’s financial activities under his brother’s leadership.
The contracts were awarded between August 2022 and May 2023, raising suspicions of potential malpractice during the Buhari administration’s tenure.
The first of the contracts awarded to Engirios Nigeria Limited was on August 18, 2022, for the construction of the Terminal Building in Katsina Airport at N1,345,586,500.00
Same company was awarded a second contract on November 3, 2022 at N3, 811,497,685.00 for the establishment of the Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport.
A third contract was on February 3, 2023, for the procurement and installation of elevators, air conditioners and power generator’s house in Aviation House, Abuja at N615,195,275.000.
While the fourth was awarded on May 5, 2023, barely 24 days to the end of the Buhari Administration tenure, for the procurement of Magnus Aircraft and simulator for Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria at N2, 296,897, 404.00.
Abubakar was said to have been grilled for several hours yesterday and is providing the commission with additional useful information on the financial activities of the Aviation Ministry under the supervision of his elder brother.
