In the ongoing trial of former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, a witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Azubuike Okorie, testified that compliance with the Procurement Act rests solely with the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.
Okorie, a retired Director of Procurement and special assistant to the former minister, provided this testimony during the hearing at a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. The trial involves Sirika, his brother Ahmad Abubakar Sirika, and two companies—Enginos Nigeria Limited and Alburaq Limited—on charges related to corruption, including abuse of office and criminal breach of trust.
The EFCC has accused Sirika of improperly awarding contracts worth approximately N19.4 billion to his brother’s company, Enginos Nigeria Limited, without following proper procedures. These contracts included the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport and the establishment of a Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at the same location.
During cross-examination, Okorie stated that the Permanent Secretary served as the ministry’s accounting officer responsible for all contract awards, while Sirika was not directly involved in the ministerial tender board. He added that contracts were approved based on recommendations from the procurement department and that the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) issued a “no objection” certificate for the contracts under scrutiny.
The trial was adjourned to November 12-14, 2024, for further cross-examination of the defendants’ counsel.
