Post by Ismail Auwal Garba (@ismail_auwal_garba)

Sirika secured ₦1.3bn Nigeria Air contract for friend, witness alleges

Former aviation minister Hadi Sirika imposed his friend on ministry officials for a Nigeria Air consultancy contract, an investigator has told an Abuja court.

Christopher Odofin, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission investigator, made the allegation on 14 October during cross-examination by Sirika’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, Premium Times reported.

The testimony concerned a ₦1.3 billion contract awarded to Tianaero Nigeria Limited, a company belonging to Professor Gabriel Tilmann.

Odofin alleged that proper procedures were followed only after the contract had been awarded.

Questions centred on a voice message prosecutors attributed to Sirika, which they said instructed a ministry official to award Tilmann’s company a contract.

Agabi asked whether someone described as resourceful and energetic was suitable for the work. Odofin maintained that Sirika had imposed Tilmann on the ministry.

The witness said investigators tried unsuccessfully to contact Tilmann, who was outside Nigeria during their investigation.

Sirika faces six corruption charges alongside his daughter, Fatima, her husband, Jalal Hamma, and their company, Al Buraq Global Investment. All defendants deny the charges.

Justice Sylvanus Oriji adjourned proceedings until 15 October for further cross-examination.

The allegations remain unproven. The court has not determined whether the contract award constituted an offence.

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