On Tuesday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) interrogated a former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, over alleged N8bn Nigeria Air fraud.
The accused ex-minister made an appearance at the EFCC’s Federal Capital Territory Command around 1:00 pm on Tuesday.
Olukoyede, who confirmed that the EFCC has been investigating the Aviation and Humanitarian Affairs ministries, said that the probe has not been about only Sirika and Betta Edu but everything about the two ministries.
“It is the system I am investigating and whosoever is now found culpable along the line, those are the names you will hear,” Olukoyede stated.
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Sirika was accused of conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, contract inflation, criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to ₦8,069,176,864.
The Commission alleged that the sum was for four aviation contracts from the former minister to a company known as Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his younger brother.
The agency said apart from being listed as the company’s MD/CEO, Abubakar was the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts, domiciled in Zenith and Union banks.
Sirika was also alleged to have awarded the contracts to his brother Abubakar, knowing that he is a civil servant, a deputy director on Level 16 in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, where he has been working since 2000 till date.
The controversy over the “unveiling” of the supposed national carrier, Nigeria Air plane, raged at the twilight of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Many, including civil society organisations, said the matter should not be swept under the carpet.
The unveiling of Nigeria Air was carried out by Hadi Sirika, former Minister of Aviation, on May 26, 2023, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Reacting to the development, ex-chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, said the EFCC has suddenly woken up.
According to him, the anti-graft agency woke up to its duty because of public pressure, which followed after it arrested and convicted Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky.
Many Nigerians had criticized the EFCC for going after soft targets while leaving corrupt politicians.
In his post on X on Tuesday, Odinkalu said: “Since it went after #Bobrisky, @officialEFCC has suddenly woken up. But some people will tell you public pressure doesn’t matter sha….!”
Meanwhile, the Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi, has said that lawyers are now paid enablers.
Amadi revealed on Tuesday via a post on his X handle that an unnamed person contacted him asking if he knew senior lawyers who could be paid to defend the embattled former Kogi governor on national television.
He said: “Someone contacted me to say if I know senior lawyers who can be paid to defend @OfficialGYBKogi on @channelstv. The guy said of course I can never do it but help him with someone who can.
“Note: Lawyers are now paid enablers. When you see them on tv talking nonsense just remember.”
