A former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, is facing fraud allegations for awarding a contract to a company owned by his son-in-law, Jalal Sule Hamma. The case, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), also involves Sirika’s daughter, Fatima, and revolves around over N2.8 billion in alleged contract fraud.

At the center of the controversy is a contract for extending the Apron at Katsina Airport. The contract, worth N1.49 billion, was awarded to Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, a company linked to Sirika’s family.

A key witness, Musa Odiniyan, a retired director from the aviation ministry’s procurement department, testified in court. He claimed that Al Buraq would not have qualified for the contract if proper and competitive bidding had been conducted. He stated, “If it was an open competitive bidding, the company may not have qualified.”

Odiniyan also revealed that Al Buraq was paid the entire contract amount upfront, with the aim of completing the project before former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration ended in 2023. The contract was given a six-month timeline to ensure its completion before Buhari’s exit.

The court has adjourned the case until March 10, 2025, for further cross-examination.

This case highlights ongoing concerns about accountability in Nigeria’s public sector and the need for transparency in contract awards.