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A prosecution witness, Mr. Christopher Odifin, told an Abuja High Court that former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, did not sign the documents for the award of the ₦599 million consultancy contract by the Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Sirika is standing trial alongside his daughter, Fatima, his son-in-law, Hamma Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited over alleged abuse of office and contract fraud involving approximately ₦2.8 billion.
Odifin, who testified for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) , also acknowledged that the contract documents presented before the court did not, on their face, establish Sirika’s direct involvement in the award process.
Being cross-examined by Sirika’s Counsel, Mr. Kanu Agabi, SAN, Odifin confirmed that the letter awarding the disputed consultancy contract was not signed by Sirika.
He further admitted that the former minister was not a member of the Ministerial Tenders Board responsible for the contract award.
“The defendant was charged because he approved the contract of N599million which was beyond his threshold and it was awarded to the defendant’s associate “ he said.
On the voice note extracted from the phone of the former Permanent Secretary, Mr. Abel Enitan, the witness admitted that the telephone was not before the court .
The witness admitted further hat the EFCC completed its investigation as at April 26, 2024 when the charges against the defendants were filed before the court.
He however, told the court that he was not aware of the series of additional proof of evidence filed by the prosecution after the charge had been filed.
Answering question from the counsel to the second defendant, Efut Okoya, Odofin admitted that Sirika’s daughter, Fatima, charged alongside her father was not the Chief Executive Officer of Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.
He also said that the digital forensic report used in filing the charge was not prepared by him but by one Bello Gideon.
He told the court that he did not extract extrajudicial statements from officers of the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Airport Authority and Katina State government on the expansion of the Katsina Airport apron.
“As at the time of awarding the contract for the expansion of the apron to Al Buraq Global Investment, Enitan was permanent secretary of the ministry of aviation and the chairman of the ministerial tenders board.
After the testimony, Justice Sylvanus Oriji, adjourned the case until Oct. 20 for the continuation of cross examination of the witness.
The EFCC accused Sirika of using his position as Minister of Aviation to confer an unfair advantage on Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, a company allegedly associated with his family.
Among the disputed transactions is a contract valued at ₦1,498,300,750 for the extension of the apron at Katsina Airport.
The anti graft agency alleged that the former minister improperly influenced the award of the contract, alongside other transactions forming the basis of the six-count charge.
According to the EFCC, the alleged offences contravened Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000; Section 17(b) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004; and Section 315 of the Penal Code Act applicable in the Federal Capital Territory.
Sirika and his co-defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges. (NAN)
