The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will arraign former aviation minister Hadi Sirika before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Maitama Division of the FCT High Court on Thursday.

Mr Sirika, a minister under then-President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime, would be arraigned on a six-count amended charge. He will be arraigned alongside three others, including his daughter, Fatima, Jalal Hamma and Al-Duraq Investment Ltd, for abuse of office to the tune of N2.7 billion.

As part of EFCC investigations into the financial malfeasance allegedly committed by the former minister, “including fraudulent contracts awarded by the ministry under his watch, had on April 23 detained in Abuja.”

“The former minister (Sirika) was invited for questioning by investigators handling the alleged contract frauds under his watch in the ministry. He honoured the invitation and has been detained as I am talking with you,” a source in the EFCC said under anonymity.

The source also said the EFCC had been investigating the alleged contract frauds while the minister was in office and that he had even met with investigators before he was detained.

The arraignment was earlier scheduled for Tuesday, but a new date was given due to the EFCC’s prayer to amend the charge. 

(NAN)