The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has begun interrogating former minister of aviation Hadi Sirika over the controversial Nigeria Air deal.
Sirika arrived at the Federal Capital Territory Command of the EFCC at about 1 pm on Tuesday.
He is alleged to have laundered over N8 billion in the failed Nigeria Air project.
Sirika is alleged to have awarded fraudulent contracts to a company known as Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.
A source quoted by PUNCH, who pleaded anonymity to be able to speak on the matter, said: “Yes, that was Hadi Sirika who was taken into our FCT custody. He is currently meeting with EFCC investigators over the alleged N8,069,176,864.00 aviation ministry contract fraud.”
EFCC freezes N3bn allegedly found in Hadi Sirika’s brother’s account
The contracts were awarded between August 2022 and May 2023.
In February, QEDNG reported that the EFCC quizzed Abubakar over an alleged N8.06 billion contract fraud.
The anti-graft agency also froze about N3 billion found in a bank account linked to Abubakar, a level 16 officer and deputy director in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
The EFCC is probing allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, contract inflation, criminal breach of trust and money laundering.
