By Richard Benjamin
Abuja, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday played an audio recording it alleged contained the voice of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, during his ongoing contract fraud trial before an Abuja High Court.
The recording was tendered while the prosecution’s 12th witness, EFCC investigator Christopher Odofin, was giving evidence.
In the audio, a voice the EFCC identified as Sirika’s was heard directing the Permanent Secretary of the former Ministry of Aviation, Enitan Abel, to award a consultancy contract to Tianaero Nigeria Limited.
“Do the right thing. Generate the necessary contract and give his company. We can pay for his services,” the voice said.
Odofin told the court that Tianaero Nigeria Limited belonged to Gabriel Tilmann, whom he described as a friend of Sirika. He also alleged that Sirika assigned his cousin, identified as Yasir, to assist Tilmann in executing the consultancy contract.
Sirika is standing trial alongside his daughter, Fatima Sirika, his son-in-law, Hamma Sule, and Al-Buraq Global Investment Limited on a six-count charge bordering on alleged contract fraud.
The EFCC alleges that Sirika abused his office by conferring an unfair advantage on Al-Buraq Global Investment Limited, a company it claims is linked to his daughter and son-in-law, in the award of a ₦1.4 billion contract for the apron extension project at Katsina Airport.
During the proceedings, counsel to Al-Buraq Global Investment Limited, Michael Numa (SAN), objected to part of the prosecution’s questioning, arguing that it appeared intended for media attention. The trial judge, Justice Sylvanus Oriji, directed him to raise his objections during cross-examination.
Under cross-examination, Sirika’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), questioned the witness on documents relating to a request by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) seeking a “no objection” to adopt the selective tendering method for critical capital projects.
Odofin acknowledged that there was nothing in the request suggesting Sirika induced the Permanent Secretary to make it. He also confirmed that the BPP’s response did not mention Sirika directly, although it referred to the ministry.
When asked whether the Permanent Secretary’s actions were inconsistent with the BPP’s response, the witness answered in the negative.
Justice Oriji adjourned the case until Thursday for the continuation of trial.
