June 26, 2025
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday presented its 10th and 11th witnesses in continuation of the trial of a former Minister of Aviation Hadi Abubakar Sirika, his daughter; Fatima Hadi Sirika, son-in-law law; Hamma Jalal Sule and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.
They are standing trial for alleged misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N2b (Two Billion Naira).
Prosecution Counsel, A.O. Atolagbe presented 10th Prosecution Witness, PW 10, a public servant working with the Nigerian Upstream (Petroleum) Regulatory Commission, NUPRC and informed the court that he was employed as a staff of the defunct Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, in 2003 which in 2021 became NUPRC.
He is currently the Head of Licensing and Permit but was the Head, Human Resources, HR in charge of employee management, staff welfare and benefits amongst others when the EFCC requested for employment details of the 3rd defendant.
The witness, while giving his evidence- in -chief, informed the court that on March 14, 2024, his office was invited by the EFCC to forward employment records of the 3rd defendant and this fell under his duty as the Head HR.
He told the court he could identify the letter sent to the EFCC as the letter came with the organization’s letter-head. The document was presented to him and after he identified it, Atolagbe sought it to be entered as an exhibit. Without any objection from the defence counsels of 1st to 4th defendants, the document was entered and marked Exhibit 26.
Atolagbe drew the witness’s attention to page three of the exhibit and told him to give an overview of the employment record of the 3rd defendant. He read out the offer of employment to Hamma Jalal Sule as Regulatory Officer 1 on GL9, dated February 3, 2023.
He also informed the court that background checks were done to find out from her former employer and records as an employee of that company. It was revealed that he worked at Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency NNRA in 2021 as a Regulatory Officer. He also confirmed that NUPRC is a government agency established by the Petroleum Industry Act.
Defense counsel for the 4th defendant, M.J.Numa, SAN, holding brief for counsel to 1st defendant, Kanu Agabi, SAN, in his cross-examination, asked how long PW10 had worked in HR.
He said that he worked for two years and was not Head of HR when the 3rd defendant was employed. He was asked if it was mandatory for the NUPRC to investigate an employee before employment.
He explained that the 3rd defendant was not investigated before his recruitment and there is usually a one year probation period which leads to confirmation provided there are no issues with former employment and conduct in present employment.
He also said investigation was not done to find out the private interests of the employee. The witness confirmed that he had left the HR before the 3rd defendant filled a Code of Conduct form so he had no records to that effect. He also said he didn’t know if the 4th defendant owned a company.
Counsel to the 2nd defendant, Ufot Okoi, in his cross-examination asked if the 3rd was found wanting in his previous employment and current employment and the witness denied any knowledge of that.
Counsel to the 3rd defendant, Sanusi Musa , SAN, cross-examined PW10 and asked if the 3rd defendant went through training when he was employed. The witness told the court that new employees go through induction training and are taught civil service rules, technicalities of the job and procedures of the NUPRC which the 3rd defendant was part of. The witness was discharged at this point.
Prosecution Witness 11, PW11, a civil servant and staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited NNPCL introduced himself as a Deputy Manager, Policy Compliance and Accountability and was previously Acting Manager of Compensation and Employee Performance.
He informed the court that EFCC sent a letter requesting for information of their staff Fatima Hadi Sirika, 2nd defendant, and they responded via a covering memo with NNPCL letter-head which he signed by himself. Documents were tendered in evidence and admitted as Exhibit 27.
Atolagbe led the witness to page three of the exhibit which is an offer of employment as a graduate trainee dated February 14, 2020 effective May 4, 2020 and confirmation dated June 10, 2021 effective May 4, 2021 in respect of the 2nd defendant. The witness confirmed that she is still a staff member and was promoted to the next grade level on January 1, 2023.
Counsel to 1st and 4th defendants in his cross-examination asked if he was told the reason for the investigation. He denied knowledge of it but admitted that he was informed through the NNPCL that the 2nd defendant was invited to the EFCC. He was not privy to why she was invited.
He explained that NNPCL transitioned in 2021 from a public corporation to a private limited liability company and as such, staff are no longer considered as public officers and therefore not bound by public service rules after the transition.
Continuing, he said that staff are also not subjected to fill code of conduct forms. He further stated that he did not know if the NNPCL is subjected to oversight by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Treasury Single Account and Public Procurement Act.
He was not also not aware if there was a contract awarded to Al Buraq Global Investment, 4th defendant and NNPCL. He confirmed that one year probation determines suitability for permanent employment. The 2nd defendant met requirements and was confirmed.
Counsel to 3rd defendant asked and confirmed from the witness that at the time of confirmation, she was confirmed as a staff of a private limited liability company. Musa asked the witness if the 3rd defendant had any disciplinary actions, been interdicted, warned or breached any laws of Nigeria. The witness said he was not aware of any such incidents
The witness was discharged and the matter was adjourned till June 30, 2025 for continuation of trial.
