Alleged N2bn Fraud: EFCC Strengthens Case Against Ex-Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, Family Members

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday presented its 10th and 11th prosecution witnesses in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika; his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika; son-in-law, Hamma Jalal Sule; and a company, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, over alleged misappropriation of public funds totaling ?2 billion.

Led by prosecution counsel A.O. Atolagbe, the EFCC called its 10th witness (PW10), a senior public servant with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). He testified that he was employed in 2003 under the now-defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), which transitioned into NUPRC in 2021. He is currently the Head of Licensing and Permit and was formerly the Head of Human Resources (HR) when the EFCC requested employment records for the 3rd defendant.

PW10 told the court that on March 14, 2024, he was directed to provide the EFCC with employment details of Hamma Jalal Sule. He identified the official letter sent to the anti-graft agency, which was admitted into evidence and marked as Exhibit 26.

Reading from the exhibit, the witness confirmed that the 3rd defendant was offered employment as a Regulatory Officer I on Grade Level 9 by NUPRC on February 3, 2023. He added that the defendant had previously worked at the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NNRA) in 2021 in a similar capacity.

During cross-examination, counsel to the 4th defendant, M.J. Numa, SAN (also holding brief for 1st defendant’s counsel, Kanu Agabi, SAN), queried the witness on his HR experience. The witness admitted he had served only two years in HR and was no longer in that role at the time of the 3rd defendant’s employment. He also confirmed that NUPRC did not investigate the private interests of new employees prior to recruitment and had no knowledge of the 4th defendant’s ownership of any company.

Counsel to the 2nd defendant, Ufot Okoi, asked if the 3rd defendant had any misconduct in prior or current employment. The witness denied any such knowledge.

When cross-examined by Sanusi Musa, SAN, counsel to the 3rd defendant, PW10 confirmed that all new employees underwent induction training, including the 3rd defendant. He also said he was unaware of whether the defendant had completed the mandatory Code of Conduct Bureau form.

PW10 was discharged following his testimony.

Next, the prosecution called its 11th witness (PW11), a Deputy Manager in the Policy Compliance and Accountability unit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). He previously served as Acting Manager, Compensation and Employee Performance.

PW11 told the court that NNPCL had responded to a letter from the EFCC requesting information about the 2nd defendant, Fatima Hadi Sirika. The covering memo, bearing NNPCL’s official letterhead and signed by the witness, was admitted into evidence as Exhibit 27.

According to PW11, the 2nd defendant was employed as a Graduate Trainee on May 4, 2020, and was confirmed in service on June 10, 2021. She is currently still a staff member and was promoted on January 1, 2023.

Under cross-examination, PW11 said he was unaware of the reason behind the EFCC’s investigation but acknowledged that NNPCL had been notified of the 2nd defendant’s invitation to the Commission.

He clarified that following NNPCL’s 2021 transition from a public corporation to a private limited liability company, its staff were no longer regarded as public officers and were no longer subject to the public service rules, including the Code of Conduct Bureau requirements.

PW11 said he was not aware of any contracts between NNPCL and Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd (the 4th defendant). He confirmed that the 2nd defendant completed her probation successfully and was duly confirmed.

Sanusi Musa, SAN, confirmed through the witness that the 2nd defendant had no disciplinary records, warnings, or legal infractions.

PW11 was discharged, and the matter was adjourned to June 30, 2025, for continuation of trial.