An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness has told an Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court that Hadi Sirika, the former Minister of Aviation, allegedly awarded contracts to a company linked to his son-in-law, Jalal Sule Hamma.
The ex-minister is on trial alongside his daughter, Fatima, and son-in-law, Hamma, on a six-count amended charge related to alleged contract fraud worth N2.8 billion.
The EFCC has accused Sirika of abusing his position to favor Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, a company allegedly managed by his daughter and son-in-law.
One of the contentious contracts was the Apron Extension Project at Katsina Airport, awarded for N1.49 billion.
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During cross-examination on January 27, 2025, Musa Odiniyan, a retired director of procurement in the Ministry of Aviation, testified that Al Buraq would not have met the qualifications under a transparent bidding process.
“We use some criteria for determining the award of contracts for companies. I still maintain that if it was an open competitive bidding, the company, Al Buraq, may not have qualified,” Odiniyan said.
Odiniyan also revealed that the company was paid 100% of the contract fee upfront, an unusual move reportedly aimed at ensuring the project was completed before former President Muhammadu Buhari left office in 2023.
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“The contract was issued at the twilight of the Buhari administration and was designed to be completed within six months,” he said.”
“The reason for the prompt payment was for it to be completed and inaugurated before the exit of the Buhari administration.”
The presiding judge has adjourned the case to March 10, 2025, for the continuation of cross-examination.