EFCC Witness Says Sirika Breached Due Process In Nigeria Air Contracts

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission witness has told an Abuja court that former aviation minister Hadi Sirika allegedly breached procurement rules in contracts linked to the failed Nigeria Air project.

Christopher Odofin, listed as the 12th prosecution witness in Sirika’s trial, testified before Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court that the former minister awarded a ₦299 million consultancy contract to Tianaero Nigeria Limited before the Bureau of Public Procurement’s no-objection approval was received.

According to the testimony reported by Daily Trust, Independent and TheNigeriaLawyer, Odofin also alleged that a further ₦599 million contract extension to the same company was handled without proper BPP clearance. The witness said the first award letter was dated April 4, 2022, while BPP’s response was dated April 6 and received by the ministry on April 7.

Odofin, an EFCC investigator, told the court that both contract sums were fully paid to Tianaero Nigeria Limited even though, in his account, there was no operational Nigeria Air project to show for the expenditure.

He said the first contract was paid in four tranches between May and July 2022 into an Access Bank account, while the second was paid in two instalments between October and December 2022 into a Guaranty Trust Bank account.

Sirika is being prosecuted alongside his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika, his son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited on amended charges bordering on alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds. The allegations remain before the court and the defendants have not been convicted.

The court adjourned the matter until July 8 and 9, 2026, for continuation of trial.

Sources: Daily Trust, Independent, TheNigeriaLawyer