Alleged fraud: Ex-aviation minister, Sirika, didn’t issue contract letter, EFCC witness tells court

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness has told the High Court, Abuja Division, that former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika did not issue any letter related to the award of a contract.

Isaiah Yesufu, the Director of Compliance at the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), made the statement on Monday while being cross-examined by Mr. Sirika’s counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN.

Mr Sirika is charged alongside his younger brother, Ahmad and two companies, Al-Buraq Limited and Enginos Nigeria Limited, said to be owned by the former minister’s brother with abuse of office, criminal breach of trust and use of position for gratification.

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 conferred unfair advantage upon Enginos Nigeria Limited whose alter ego is his biological brother, Ahmad, by using his position to influence the award of contract for the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1,345,586,500.

EFCC further alleged that the former minister used his position to influence the award of contract for the establishment of Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport for the sum of N3.8billion.

All the defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.

At the resumed hearing of the case, the witness was cross examined by, Kanu Agabi, SAN, counsel to Mr Sirika.

The witness said, “It is the duty of the permanent secretary to ensure that execution of projects are within the procurement Act. The permanent secretary is liable in person for the breach of the Act. The minister is not a member of the Ministerial Tenders Board (MTB) and the board’s decisions are not communicated to him for implementation. I don’t have any confirmation to show that the minister gave approval for the decision of the board.”

Mr Yesufu admitted that he made a statement at the EFCC and he never mentioned the first defendant (Sirika)’s name.

The witness said he was aware that the former minister was on trial because of breach in Procurement proceedings.

He told the court, “I know the first defendant did not participate in the board proceedings. He did not sign or issue any letter on award of the contract.”

At the instance of the 2nd defendant’s counsel, Ufut Okoya, Justice Suleiman Belgore adjourned until December 10 for continuation of cross examination.

(NAN)