Alleged N2.7b Fraud: Ex-BPP director testifies against former Minister Hadi Sirika
EFCC is prosecuting Sirika, his daughter Fatima, Jalal Sule Hamma, and Al-Duraq Investment Nigeria Limited
A witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Musa Odiniya, testified in an Abuja High Court yesterday that Al-Duraq Investment Limited, which was established in 2021, was awarded the contract for the construction of the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport in 2022.
Odiniya, a former Director of Procurement at the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), provided this information during the trial concerning an alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud involving former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika.
The EFCC is prosecuting Sirika, his daughter Fatima, Jalal Sule Hamma, and Al-Duraq Investment Nigeria Limited on charges of abuse of office and contract fraud. They are facing six counts of allegations before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.
Sirika, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is accused of misusing his office by awarding contracts to a company in which his daughter and her husband had a vested interest. According to the prosecution, the alleged offenses violate sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and section 17(b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.
During the testimony, led by EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the witness stated that every firm bidding for a contract must submit an affidavit.
“The reason is that no contract should be awarded to a company related to a member of staff in the ministry where the contract is to be executed.
“My department cannot give a contract to a company in which, for instance, the minister is a signatory,” he said.
Al-Duraq Investment Nigeria Limited, the witness said he did not know until he got to the EFCC office and was shown a document from the bank with the names of the defendants.
“The defendants’ companies were registered in 2021 while the contract was awarded to them in 2022.
He also adjourned till January 23, 2025 for the cross-examination of the fifth principal witness (PW5) and continuation of hearing.
“A company registered within a year of the award may not have the capacity to handle a project. The company is not qualified,” he said.
Odiniya also told the court that the apron building and extension of Katsina Airport was valued at N800 million.
After the evidence of the witness, counsel to Sirika (first defendant), Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him cross-examine the witness.
The lawyer also prayed the court for hearing of the motion seeking for leave to allow the first defendant travel abroad with his sick mother for medical reasons.
Jacobs did not oppose to the adjournment but prayed the court to allow him speak with the EFCC on the motion.
Justice Oriji adjourned till tomorrow to hear the motion and deliver ruling. More
