An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness has told an Abuja High Court that former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika allegedly forced ministry officials to accept his German friend for a contract linked to the proposed Air Nigeria project.
Christopher Odofin, the 12th prosecution witness, made the claim during the ongoing trial of Sirika over an alleged N2.8 billion aviation contract fraud.
The EFCC also charged Sirika’s daughter, Fatima, his son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule, and a company, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, in connection with the case.
During cross-examination by Sirika’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, SAN, Odofin was asked whether the German man, described as resourceful and energetic, was qualified to handle the contract.
In response, the witness said, “The man was imposed by the first defendant on the ministry.”
Agabi also questioned why the German was not investigated during the EFCC’s inquiry.
Explaining the situation, Odofin said, “The German man was not in Nigeria during the investigation. We made efforts to reach him but it yielded no result”.
Following the exchange, Agabi told the court that some of the witness’s answers were surprising and requested permission to continue the cross-examination on Thursday.
The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, did not oppose the request.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji subsequently adjourned the case until Thursday for the continuation of Odofin’s cross-examination.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Odofin had earlier testified on June 17 that a contract initially awarded to TNL for more than N299 million on April 4, 2022, was extended on October 17, 2022, on Sirika’s instructions.
According to the witness, the extension increased the contract’s total value to more than N599 million.
He alleged that the decision violated due process.
Sirika imposed German friend on ministry for Air Nigeria contract – EFCC witness