An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness told the Abuja High Court that former aviation minister Hadi Sirika’s company was not among five companies listed as bidders for the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport.

Isaiah Yusuf, who testified as the EFCC’s fourth witness (PW4), said this in his testimony on the alleged N2.7 billion against Mr Sirika and three others.

The EFCC dragged Mr Sirika, his daughter Fatima, Jalal Sule Hamma and Al-Duraq Investment Limited to court for abuse of office and contract fraud.

They are standing trial before Justice Sylvanus Oriji on six counts.

The minister, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was accused of abusing his office as a minister by awarding contracts to a company in which his daughter and her husband had an interest.

According to the prosecution, the offences committed by the former minister and others are contrary to sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

In addition, section 315 of the Penal Code Act and Cap 532 Acts of the Federal Capital Territory are punishable under the same sections.

Mr Yusuf, led on evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, said he is the director of procurement at the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

He said that on March 16, 2022, a letter was received from the Ministry of Aviation requesting a letter of ‘no objection ‘ to enable the ministry to award contracts with restricted publicity.

The witness told the court that if the contract was below N1.5 billion, the ministerial tender board could approve it.

The witness added if the amount is above N1.5 billion, the BPP will issue a ‘certificate of no objection ‘ that will enable the ministry or agency’s request to proceed to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval.

Mr Yusuf further said that after the approval is given, it goes back to the ministry or agency that placed the request.

” The Ministry of Aviation wrote two letters to BPP dated May 16 and May 17 requesting ‘due process no objection‘ for restricted advertisement for bidders.

” The ministry brought the names of five selected companies for the building of the terminal and extension of Katsina airport.

” BPP approved the five listed companies for the contract for N800 million, but Al-Duraq Global Investment Limited and Apron Expansion was not on the list,” he told the court.

Mr Yusuf told the court that the BPP had not received any communication by the time the approval was given to the ministry.

“It was when the EFCC contacted the BPP that we knew the project was split into two with costs at N1.4 billion and N1.3 billion.

“The BPP Act, section 16(6) must be strictly adhered to before bidders can be awarded contracts.

” The actual cost of the project brought to the BPP for evaluation was N800 million, and the least bidder gets the contract should be awarded the contract.

” We do not know how the project turned into two contracts and how the Al-Duraq Global Investment Limited and Apron Expansion was awarded the contract,” the witness said.

Meanwhile, Justice Oriji adjourned until July 5 to cross-examine the witness.

(NAN)