Alleged N2.7bn fraud: EFCC arraigns Sirika, daughter today

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), is set to arraign former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, his daughter, Fatimah, and two other suspects in court today, Thursday.

The suspects are facing charges over alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud uncovered in the Aviation Ministry under Sirika.

The embattled former Minister would be arraigned for trial for the first time, before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal High Court in Abuja today, Thursday.

Sirika is billed to appear in court with his three co-defendants, his daughter, Fatima; one Jalal Hamma, and Al-Duraq Investment Ltd, on charges of abusing their positions to launder over N2.7 billion.

Recall that as part of the EFCC investigations into the financial malfeasance allegedly committed by the former minister, “including fraudulent contracts awarded by the ministry under his watch, had on April 23 detained him in Abuja’’.

​Sirika was invited by the Abuja Zonal Command of the Commission on the alleged contract malfeasance and was promptly interrogated and detained at the Formella Street, Wuse-2 Zonal office of the Commission.

​The source also said that EFCC had been investigating the alleged contract frauds while the minister was in office, and he had even met with investigators before he was detained.

It was learnt that the arraignment was earlier slated to hold on Tuesday, but due to EFCC prayer to amend the charge, a new date was given.