Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, is set to face trial as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigns him before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, on Thursday.
Sirika, who served as a minister in the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari, will be arraigned on a six-count amended charge alongside three others, including his daughter and council chairmen Hamma and Al-Duraq Investment Ltd, for alleged abuse of office involving the sum of N2.7 billion.
Confirming the development, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Sirika was detained by the EFCC on April 23 in Abuja as part of investigations into financial malfeasance allegedly committed during his tenure as minister.
According to a source within the EFCC, Sirika was detained following an invitation for questioning regarding fraudulent contracts awarded by the ministry under his watch.
“The former minister (Sirika) was invited for questioning by investigators handling the alleged contract frauds under his watch in the ministry. He honoured the invitation and has been detained as I am talking with you,” the EFCC source stated.
The source further revealed that the EFCC had been investigating the alleged contract frauds while Sirika was in office, and the former minister had previously met with investigators before his detention.
Initially scheduled for Tuesday, the arraignment was postponed due to the EFCC’s request to amend the charge, leading to a rescheduling of the court appearance.