On Thursday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on a new 10-count charge. Sirika appeared before an Abuja High Court in Garki alongside his brother Ahmad and Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company involved in the alleged offenses.

The defendants were accused of involvement in an N19.4 billion airport contract scam. They pleaded not guilty to the charges read by Justice Suleiman Belgore.

Previously, Sirika, his daughter Fatima, and his son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma were granted N100 million bail each by an Abuja High Court in Maitama for their alleged role in a fraudulent N2.7 billion Nigerian Air contract.

READ ALSO: Court Grants Sirika, Daughter, and Son-in-Law N100 Million Bail Each in N2.7 Billion Fraud Case

In the new charges, the EFCC alleged that Sirika abused his ministerial position to benefit Enginos Nigeria Limited, which is led by his brother Ahmad. Specifically, Sirika is accused of influencing the award of a N1.3 billion contract for constructing a terminal building at Katsina Airport to his brother's company.

Some of the charges read:

• “That you, Hadi Sirika, while serving as the Minister of Aviation, on or about August 18, 2022, in Abuja, did use your position to confer an unfair advantage on Enginos Nigeria Limited, whose alter ego is your brother Ahmad Sirika, by influencing the award of a N1.345 billion contract for the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport. This act is contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under the same section.
• “That you, Hadi Sirika, while serving as the Minister of Aviation, on or about November 3, 2022, in Abuja, did use your position to confer an unfair advantage on Enginos Nigeria Limited by influencing the award of a N3.811 billion contract for establishing a Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport. This act is contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under the same section.
• “That you, Hadi Sirika, while serving as the Minister of Aviation, on or about May 5, 2023, in Abuja, did use your position to confer an unfair advantage on Enginos Nigeria Limited by influencing the award of a N615.195 million contract for the procurement and installation of lifts, air conditioners, and power generators for Aviation House, Abuja. This act is contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under the same section.
• “That you, Hadi Sirika, and Enginos Nigeria Limited, between August 2022 and May 2023 in Abuja, had possession of an aggregate sum of N2.337 billion, which you knew indirectly represented the proceeds of criminal activities by Ahmad Sirika, who was the Minister of Aviation at the time. This is contrary to Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, and punishable under the same section.”