Alleged N2.7bn fraud : EFCC tenders NNPCL, NUPRC’s employment records of Sirika’s daughter, son-in-law

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday submitted employment documents in an Abuja High Court to establish the professional affiliations of former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika’s daughter and son-in-law, who are co-defendants in a N2.7 billion fraud case.

The EFCC disclosed that both Fatima Sirika and her husband, Hamma Jalal Sule, are currently employed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), respectively.

Sirika is standing trial alongside his daughter, son-in-law, and Al-Buraq Investment Limited before Justice Sylvanus Oriji. The anti-graft agency alleges that, while serving as minister, Sirika misused his position to award a ₦1.4 billion contract for the expansion of the Katsina Airport apron to Al-Buraq—a firm linked to his relatives.

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According to the EFCC, the alleged offence contravenes multiple sections of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, the EFCC (Establishment) Act 2004, and the Penal Code, and is punishable under those provisions.

Sirika has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During Thursday’s proceedings, the prosecution called its 10th and 11th witnesses (PW10 and PW11), who testified about the employment status of the second and third defendants.

Gabriel Adaba, Head of Licensing and Permit at NUPRC, testified that Sule was hired as a Regulatory Officer 1 at Grade Level 9 on February 3, 2023.

“At the time of Sule’s employment, I was the Head of Human Resources in the agency,” Adaba told the court, led by EFCC prosecutor Oluwaleke Atolagbe.

He added that on March 14, 2024, he was summoned by the EFCC to submit Sule’s employment documents.

“As Head, Human Resources, it was my responsibility to appear before the commission to do that. On that day, I was at EFCC to submit his (Sule’s) employment records,” he said.

Adaba further revealed that Sule had previously worked with the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NNRA) and was confirmed as a full staff member of the NUPRC on March 5, 2024.

Under cross examination by counsel for Sirika and Al Buraq, Michael Numa SAN, Adaba told the court that NUPRC did background checks on Sule in line with its Human Resources practices.

He, however, said the commission did not investigate individual employee’s private life, including their private holdings.

The witness further told the court that Sule was confirmed as a staff member of NUPRC on March 5, 2024, one year after his employment by the commission.

He added that he was not aware if Al Buraq was awarded any contracts by the commission.

While being cross examined by both counsel for Fatima and Sule, Efut Okoi and Sunusi Musa SAN respectively, the PW10 told the court that there were no records that Sule was found wanting at NNRA .

On his part, the PW11, Abidoye Babatunde, the Deputy Manager of Policy Compliance and Accountability with the NNPCL, told the court that in 2024 the EFCC requested information on Sirika’s daughter, Fatima.

He said that the company obliged the anti-graft agency with the request and forwarded the information requested with a covering letter.

According to the witness, Fatima was employed as a graduate trainee on February 14, 2020 by NNPCL.

He added while his employment was confirmed on May 4, 2021, adding that she was promoted to next grade level on January 1, 2023.

Under cross examination, the PW11 told the court that EFCC invited Fatima through the NNPCL.

He added that he was not told what she was being investigated for when he submitted the information demanded by the Commission as the Acting Deputy Manager, Employee Compensation and Performance.

The witness said that he was not privy to her any private holding outside NNPCL, adding that the second defendant could not have been confirmed by NNPCL if she had not suitably performed.

After their testimonies, Justice Oriji adjourned until June 30 for continuation of hearing.