Alleged fraud: BPP director testifies against ex-Aviation Minister, Sirika

Isaiah Yesufu, Director of Certification, Compliance, and Monitoring at the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has testified against former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, in a high-profile corruption trial.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged Sirika, his brother Ahmad Sirika, and two companies with abuse of office and fraudulent contract dealings.

The charges center around the awarding of a contract for the construction of a terminal building at the Katsina Airport. According to EFCC prosecutors, the deal violated procurement regulations and was influenced by personal interests.

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Yesufu appeared in court on Monday as a key witness, providing insights into the procedural breaches and irregularities flagged by the BPP. His testimony is expected to play a pivotal role in establishing the alleged misconduct in the case.

Mr Yesufu, who is a prosecution witness, said this in his evidence at the trial of the former minister that the BPP was not aware of the split in contract.

They are being prosecuted on 10 counts of abuse of office, criminal breach of trust, and use of position for gratification.

The defendants are being prosecuted before trial judge Suleiman Belgore.

The anti-graft commission alleged that the former minister awarded various contracts to his younger brother to the tune of about N19.4 billion.

The EFCC alleged that Mr Sirika did confer an unfair advantage upon Enginos Nigeria Limited whose alter ego is his biological brother, Mr Ahmad, by using his position to influence the award of a contract for the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport to tune of N1,345,586,500.

It further alleged that the former minister used his position to influence the award of a contract for the establishment of Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport for the sum of N3, 811,497,685.

It alleged, among others, that Mr Ahmad and Enginos Nigeria Limited had possession of the aggregate sum of N2,337,840,674.16 which they knew indirectly represented the proceeds of criminal conduct of the former minister.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

Testifying, Mr Yesufu told the court that a bidder for any contract must submit an affidavit stating that the company does not have any relationship with the procuring entity.

“If there is a relationship this shall amount to a conflict of interest and should be disclosed.

“The affected officer of either the procuring entity or the BPP will recuse himself from participating in the process (of award of contract),” Mr Yesufu told the court.

He said that in the case of the award of a contract for the construction of a terminal building for the Katsina airport, the Ministry of Aviation sought approval to adopt a restricted tendering method due to time constraints.

He added that approval was granted in favour of five companies, including Enginos Nigeria Limited.

Mr Yesufu further told the court that after the approval was granted, the ministry completed the procurement process and awarded two contracts:

One of the contracts was in favour of Enginos, and the second was in favour of Al-Buraq according to him.

“The Bureau was not aware how a single contract, titled, “Construction of Katsina airport terminal building and Apron was eventually awarded as two separate contracts.”