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Contract fraud: EFCC freezes N3bn traced to Sirika’s brother account

Published

4 months ago

February 6, 2024

EFCC Operatives

Contract fraud: EFCC freezes N3bn traced to Sirika’s brother account

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday quizzed Abubakar Ahmad Sirika over an alleged N8.06 billion contract fraud in the Federal Ministry of Aviation.

Abubakar is the brother of immediate-past Minister Hadi Sirika, believed to have awarded the contracts to his sibling.

Abubakar’s arrest on Sunday was part of the ongoing probe of alleged fraudulent practices in the Ministry of Aviation during the tenure of the ex-minister.

EFCC is probing allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, contract inflation, criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

Of the contract sum, about N3, 212,258,930.18 has been traced to Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by Abubakar, who is a Level-16 officer, a deputy director, in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

It was learnt that four big contracts were awarded to Abubakar’s Engirios Nigeria Limited when his brother was in charge of the ministry.

According to EFCC investigators, Abubakar Sirika is listed as the company’s Managing Director (MD)/Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Besides, it was found out that he is the sole signatory to the two accounts linked to the firm with two banks.

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The four contracts the ex-minister awarded to his brother are:

• Construction of the Terminal Building in Katsina Airport (N1,345,586,500.00);

• Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport (N3, 811,497,685.00);

• Procurement and installation of elevators, air conditioners and power generator house in Aviation House, Abuja (N615,195,275.000);

• Procurement of Magnus Aircraft and simulator for Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria (N2, 296,897, 404.00).

A top official of the anti-graft agency said: “In connection with the ongoing probe of the Ministry of Aviation during Hadi Sirika’s tenure, EFCC’s crack team was able to uncover four contracts, worth about N8,069,176,864.00, which were not executed.

“The sum was for four aviation contracts from the former minister to Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his sibling.

“While profiling the contracts, there was a payment of N3,212,258,930.18 out of the total contract sum to Engirios Nigeria Limited, which is owned by the younger brother of the ex-Minister of Aviation.

“Apart from being listed as the company’s MD/CEO, Abubakar is the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts.

“Investigators further discovered that upon the receipt of the payment, Abubakar allegedly transferred it to different companies and individuals.

“There is no trace of work done on any of the contract items to date.

“These developments led to the arrest and detention of Abubakar on Sunday by the EFCC.

“He was grilled for several hours yesterday. He is providing the commission with additional useful information on the financial activities of the Aviation Ministry under the supervision of his elder brother.”

It was learnt that the contract awards and the timelines were between August 2022 and May 2023.

A document obtained by The Nation reads in part: “It is suspected that the ex-Minister, Hadi Sirika awarded the contracts to his brother Abubakar, knowing that he is a senior civil servant, working since 2000.

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“The first of the controversial contracts awarded to Engirios Nigeria Limited was on August 18, 2022, for the construction of the Terminal Building in Katsina Airport.

“The second was awarded on November 3, 2022, for the establishment of the Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport.

“The third contract was on February 3, 2023, for the procurement and installation of elevators, air conditioners and power generator’s house in Aviation House, Abuja.

“The fourth was awarded on May 5, 2023, bearly 24 days to the end of the Buhari Administration tenure, for the procurement of Magnus Aircraft and simulator for Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria.”

It was gathered that the four contracts formed the first segment of the ongoing probe of Sirika’s tenure.

There were indications that the EFCC was looking into the Nigeria Air controversy.

There was also controversy about how much was released for the Nigeria Air project.

While some critics alleged that N85 billion was expended on it, Sirika claimed that N5 billion was approved but N3 billion was released.

He said his administration did not spend the N3 billion before he left office.

Sirika said: “In 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, all of the monies voted and budgeted for the national carrier was N5 billion.

“But all that was released is in the neighbourhood of about N3billion, not N85billion and all of the N3billion had not been expended as of the time I left office.

“What was done with the money was nothing but transaction advisory services, the AOC process, salaries, consultancy services and the offices in Abuja.

“No contract was given by Hadi Sirika or the administration at the time. These are the things that the money was used for.”

Contract fraud: EFCC freezes N3bn traced to Sirika’s brother account

(Nation)

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Ondo monarch loses position after 29-year legal tussle

Published

49 mins ago

May 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Ondo monarch loses position after 29-year legal tussle

The traditional ruler of Ute in the Ose local government area, Oba Micheal Adetunji Oluwole, has been dethroned by an Ondo state High Court sitting in Owo, Owo local government area.

The embattled monarch has been in a legal tussle over his emergence for the past 29 years.

Olule Omolaja Ruling House had challenged the retired Army Major’s right to ascend the throne.

Justice Ademola Enikuomehin, in his ruling in the suit filed by Adewumi Fabuluje, nullified the selection process that brought Oba Oluwole to the throne and ordered a fresh selection process into the stool.

The Judge ordered Oluwole to stop parading himself as the traditional ruler of the town.

He held that a fresh selection process from within the Olule Omoloja ruling house lineage should be begun.

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Justice Enikuomehin ruled that the dethroned monarch had no right to the throne and affirmed that the retired Army officer was not a member of the ruling house designated to fill the vacant throne of the town.

According to the Judge, “Oluwole has no right to the throne, being a member of the Kingmakers of the town and should not make himself King.

The Claimant, in his comment, said it was a victory for the Olule Omolaja Ruling House, in the suit that began in 1995.

Fabuluje stated that the case was returned from the Supreme Court to the High Court for a fresh hearing after the judgement was awarded at the Appellate Courts.

Counsel to the state, F.K Salami, said that the judgment would be reviewed and necessary action would be taken.

Prince Olayiwola Omoloja said they were happy that the long-suffering from their original entitlement had ended.

Ondo monarch loses position after 29-year legal tussle

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Biafra Day: IPoB warns UNIZIK, WAEC to postpone convocation, exam

Published

6 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Biafra Day: IPoB warns UNIZIK, WAEC to postpone convocation, exam

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, has warned the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK Awka, Anambra State Prof. Charles Esimone, and West African Examination Council, WAEC to postpone the convocation ceremony of the University and WAEC exam scheduled for May 30th.

IPoB, in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, entitled “Nnamdi Azikiwe University VC and WAEC Board to postpone 30th May Convocation and WAEC on that day,” said Prof. Esimone ought to know that 30th of May every year is Biafra Heroes Day and should not fix any programs of his University on that day, just as WAEC should have known that that day is sacrosanct to all Igbo men and women.

IPoB’s statement reads, “Dear Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, UNIZIK Anambra State. The attention of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, led by our indomitable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to your proposed University’s Convocation date of 30th May, 2024 and the WAEC examinations for the same day.

“We urge you to kindly reschedule your convocation and exams to a new date because 30th of May, is the Biafra Heroes Day and a sit-at-home for all Biafrans in the Biafra land.

“Dear VC Esimone, if you consider yourself a Biafra, you ought to know that 30th of May is a Biafra Heroes day. And WAEC board members, Biafra Heroes day is sacrosanct to Ndigbo, you dare not fix your exam on that day if you have respect for Igbo race.

“Nevertheless, we are reminding you and the UNIZIK University Management and WAEC board that May 30 of every year is a sacred day set aside to honour Biafra heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate prize and sacrifice for the survival of Biafrans.

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“That day remains sacred and a day that Biafrans sit-at-home to remember and honour our heroes who fell during the Nigerian genocidal war against Biafrans between 1967 to 1970.

“Even until the present day the killing has not stopped. No public event is expected to take place in Biafra land on this day. Biafra Heroes day is a public holiday and a sit-at-home in Biafra land for Biafrans in honor of our fallen heroes and heroines. All markets, schools, banks, government and private offices are expected to be under lock and key.

“Movement of persons and vehicles are not allowed except those on essential or emergency services such as Journalists, health workers, Ambulance, Fire Service, Filling stations and Hospitals etc.

“West African examination Council, WAEC, board should not endanger the lives of small children because that day is not safe for any individual in Biafra territory, it is a day everybody stays indoors for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us to live and they must reschedule the date to another day. 30th of May is a Biafran remembrance day.

“If anything happens to those children they want to bring out that day they will regret doing so. By this open letter, to you IPoB is calling on the Vice Chancellor and the Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka, WAEC and any other person or group that scheduled any program for 30th May, 2024, to postpone such program. Biafra Heroes Day takes precedence over any program in Biafra land on that day.

“However, if the Vice Chancellor and the Management of UNIZIK insist on having their Convocation on 30th May, 2024 in disregard of Biafra fallen heroes and heroines, they have decided to spit on the graves of Biafra heroes and heroines and should be ready to take responsibility for whatever happens afterwards.

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“IPoB will not enforce the 30th May sit-at-home, but will also not take responsibility for whatever happens to the violators on that day. The Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University must not provoke IPoB.

“We do not take it kindly with people desecrating the memory of our heroes and heroines. IPOB calls on the students, the parents, the guests, and visitors to UNIZIK’s Convocation ceremony and those for WAEC exams scheduled for May 30th to apply caution and avoid being on the road the day Biafrans are mourning their dead.

“If the University goes ahead with the plans. Safety is an individual responsibility. Don’t endanger yourself for an hour-long ceremony. In the past, Nigeria security forces and their collaborators have killed and set some cars of those found on the road ablaze any time IPoB calls for sit-at-home, just to blackmail IPoB. Don’t be a victim.

“IPoB is therefore, warning all the persons and institutions paid to insult and desecrate the memories of our fallen heroes that their sponsors will not be there to save them when the rain starts falling on them.

“Those that have sabotaged their stock in trade will be collectively and individually held to account for their evil.

“IPOB is not a Umunna meeting or community meeting to be toyed with. As much as we care we also bite. UNIZIK Management and WAEC board should be warned.”

Biafra Day: IPoB warns UNIZIK, WAEC to postpone convocation, exam

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Popular pastor kicks wife, 6 children out of Abuja home

Published

7 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Pastor Stanley Ogbonna and his estranged wife, Chioma

Popular pastor kicks wife, 6 children out of Abuja home

In a shocking development, Pastor Stanley Ogbonna, General Overseer of God’s Spring Assembly, also known as Glass Church in Kubwa, Abuja, has allegedly driven his estranged wife, Chioma, and their six children out of their home.

The couple’s strained relationship recently culminated in a divorce, marked by serious accusations and public outcry.

Reports indicate that Pastor Ogbonna purportedly sold his properties to prevent Chioma from obtaining a share of his wealth, a claim he presented in court. This situation escalated on Tuesday when a viral video surfaced on social media, showing Chioma accusing the pastor of infidelity and domestic abuse. She described her 18 to 19 years of hardship living with him, during which she bore six children.

In the emotionally charged video, Chioma expressed her despair: “See him, God will help me. This is a pastor. Look at him. This is the pastor, Stanley Ogbonna. He called the police and evicted me and the children out of the house. Look at me, look at my properties all outside unannounced.”

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Chioma recounted how Pastor Ogbonna had already moved his belongings out of the house while engaging in extramarital affairs. “Today, he has come to disgrace me after laboring with him for 18 years, 19 years. See what the General Overseer of God’s Wing Assembly, Glass Church, Kubwa, is doing. I’m his wife, who labored with him for 19 years,” she added.

She pleaded for justice, emphasizing the suffering she endured and the impact on their youngest child, who is only four years old.

Attempts to reach Pastor Ogbonna and the church for comments were unsuccessful. The church’s inquiry line was unreachable, and emails sent to their official address had not been replied to at the time of this report.

Despite the ongoing controversy, the church recently celebrated Pastor Ogbonna’s birthday on April 18 with a program titled “Happy Birthday in Perfect Grace.”

This incident has sparked widespread reactions and calls for justice for Chioma and her children, highlighting the need for accountability and support in such distressing circumstances.