By Mercy Gadia Adi
The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has denied being aware of or having knowledge of a split contract awarded for the construction of the Katsina airport terminal building and apron during the tenure of former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika.
This revelation was made by a Director of Certification, Compliance, and Monitoring at the BPP, Mr. Isaiah Yesufu, during his testimony before a Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Yesufu’s testimony was part of the ongoing trial of Hadi Sirika and his brother, Ahmad, who have pleaded not guilty to a fresh fraud charge instituted against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The arraignment took place before Justice Sulaiman Belgore.
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According to the EFCC’s 10-count charge, Sirika was accused of conferring an unfair advantage on his brother while using him as leverage to divert billions from the Federal Ministry of Aviation. The anti-graft agency also alleged that the former Minister engaged in the “illegal award” of contracts.
One of the counts reads: “That you, HADI ABUBAKAR SIRIKA, while being Minister of Aviation, on or about 3rd November 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did use your position to confer an unfair advantage upon ENGINOS NIGERIA LIMITED, whose alter ego, AHMAD ABUBAKAR SIRIKA, is your blood brother.”
The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges, paving the way for the trial. During the resumed proceedings, Yesufu explained that a bidder for any contract must submit an affidavit stating that the company does not have any relationship with the procuring entity.
He said that, as for the contract awarded 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. Yesufu confirmed that approval was granted in favor of five companies, including Enginos Nigeria Limited.
However, the witness highlighted that the contract for the construction of the Katsina airport terminal and apron was a single contract. He stressed that the Bureau was not aware of how the single contract was awarded as two separate contracts.
“The Bureau was not aware of how a single contract, titled ‘Construction of Katsina Airport Terminal Building and Apron,’ was eventually awarded as two separate contracts,” he said. “I became aware of the split of the contract when I was invited by the EFCC, where I made the statement,” he added.
The witness confirmed to the court that Enginos Nigeria Limited was awarded the contract to construct the Katsina airport terminal building. The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), then asked the court for an adjournment to enable him to sort out some documents.
Counsel for the defendants did not object to the call for an adjournment. Justice Belgore subsequently adjourned the case until April 8 for the continuation of the trial.
This development is part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged corrupt practices associated with the Nigeria Air debacle. Sirika and his daughter were also arraigned before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court over fraudulent practices.
The EFCC has been investigating the alleged corrupt practices in the aviation ministry, and this latest development is a significant step in the ongoing trial. The commission had revealed that the funds in dispute related to four aviation contracts awarded by the former minister to a company called Enginos Nigeria Limited.
The company is allegedly owned by Sirika’s younger brother. The EFCC is empowered by law to track financial crimes, and every accused person remains innocent until found guilty by a competent court.
Recall that Sirika served as aviation minister from August 22, 2019, to May 29, 2023. During his tenure, he was accused of engaging in corrupt practices, including conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, contract inflation, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering.
The total amount involved in the alleged corrupt practices is N8,069,176,864. The EFCC has been working tirelessly to investigate and prosecute cases of financial crimes in Nigeria.
The outcome of this trial will be closely watched, as it has significant implications for the country’s aviation sector and the fight against corruption.