N2.7bn Contract Fraud: Former Minister Sirika, Daughter To Be Arraigned By EFCC Today

Following amended charges of an alleged N2.7bn contract Fraud, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will arraign Hadi Sirika, a former aviation minister, before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court today.

The former minister will be arraigned alongside Fatima, his daughter; Jalal Hamma; and Al-Duraq Investment Ltd.

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The arraignment was earlier slated to take place on Tuesday, but due to an EFCC prayer to amend the charge, a new date was given.

It would be recalled that the EFCC was said to have detained the former minister on April 23, as part of investigations into the financial malfeasance allegedly committed by him, including fraudulent contracts awarded by the ministry under his watch.

“The former minister (Sirika) was invited for questioning by investigators handling the alleged contract fraud under his watch in the ministry,” NAN quoted an EFCC source as saying.

“He honoured the invitation and has been detained as I am talking with you.”

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The source also said the EFCC had been investigating the alleged contract fraud when Sirika was in office as the minister, noting that he also met with investigators at the time.