The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has reportedly arrested Hadi Sirika, former Minister of Aviation over ongoing Nigeria Air N8bn money laundering probe.
Daily Intel Newspaper gathered that Sirika was taking into custody and is being quizzed as soon as he arrived the Federal Capital Territory Command of the EFCC on Tuesday.
The Aviation Minister under former President Mohammadu Buhari is wanted by the EFCC over alleged fraudulent contracts awarded to a company known as Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.
Recall that, in February, EFCC investigated the activities of the Aviation Ministry under Sirika for conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, and contract inflation.
Others are criminal breaches of trust and money laundering amounting to N8,069,176,864.00 during Sirika’s tenure in office.
Apart from being listed as the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Abubakar is said to be the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts, domiciled in Zenith and Union Bank.
It was gathered that the ex-minister’s younger brother had been arrested and detained by the commission in connection with N3,212,258,930.18 paid to his company, Engirios Nigerian Limited’s, bank account by the former minister.
It was noted that there is no trace of work done on any of the contract items to date.
