Alleged N2.7b contract fraud: Ex-BPP director testifies against Sirika

A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Musa Odiniya, yesterday told an Abuja High Court that Al-Duraq Investment Limited, which was registered in 2021, got the contract for the construction of the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport in 2022.

Odiniya, who is a former Director of Procurement at the Bureau Public Procurement (BPP), said this while testifying in the alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud against a former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika.

The EFCC is prosecuting Sirika and his daughter Fatima, Jalal Sule Hamma, and Al-Duraq Investment Nigeria Limited for abuse of office and contract fraud.

They are standing trial before Justice Sylvanus Oriji on six counts.

Sirika, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is accused of abusing his office as minister through the award of contracts to a company in which his daughter and her husband had interest.

The alleged offences and others, according to the prosecution, were in contravention of sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, to Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the witness said every firm bidding for contract must submit an affidavit.

“The reason is that no contract should be awarded to a company related to a member of staff in the ministry where the contract is to be executed.

“My department cannot give a contract to a company in which, for instance, the minister is a signatory,” he said.

When asked if he knew those behind.

Al-Duraq Investment Nigeria Limited, the witness said he did not know until he got to the EFCC office and was shown a document from the bank with the names of the defendants.

“The defendants’ companies were registered in 2021 while the contract was awarded to them in 2022.

“A company registered within a year of the award may not have the capacity to handle a project. The company is not qualified,” he said.

Odiniya also told the court that the apron building and extension of Katsina Airport was valued at N800 million.

After the evidence of the witness, counsel to Sirika (first defendant), Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him cross-examine the witness.

The lawyer also prayed the court for hearing of the motion seeking for leave to allow the first defendant travel abroad with his sick mother for medical reasons.

Jacobs did not oppose to the adjournment but prayed the court to allow him speak with the EFCC on the motion.

Justice Oriji adjourned till tomorrow to hear the motion and deliver ruling.

He also adjourned till January 23, 2025 for the cross-examination of the fifth principal witness (PW5) and continuation of hearing.