The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Sunday, February 4, 2024, arrested and detained Abubakar Ahmad Serika, the immediate younger brother of Hadi Abubakar Serika, former Minister of Aviation for N8bn alleged Aviation Ministry’s funds.
His arrest was was sequel to the Commission’s investigation of the activities of the Aviation Ministry for conspiracy, abuse of office, diversion of public funds, contract inflation,Criminal breach of trust and money laundering amounting to N8,069,176,864.00 (Eight Billion, Sixty-nine Million, One Hundred and Seventy-six Thousand, Eight Hundred and Sixty-four Naira.), during the time of his older sibling, Hadi Serika.
Abubakar Serika is presently in EFCC’s custody from where he is providing the Commission with additional useful information on the financial activities of the Aviation Ministry under the supervision of his older brother Hadi Serika.
According to the anti-graft Commission, the huge fund was for four aviation contracts from the former minister to a company known as Engirios Nigeria Limited, owned by his younger sibling.
It was gathered that apart from being listed as the company’s MD/CEO, Abubakar is the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts, domiciled in Zenith and Union banks, respectively.
Hadi awarded the contracts to his brother Abubakar, knowing that the latter is a civil servant, a Deputy Director on Level 16, in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, where he has been working since 2000 till date.
“The first of the controversial contracts from the former minister to Engirios Nigeria Limited was on August 18, 2022 for the construction of Terminal Building in Katsina Airport, at the cost of N1,345,586,500.00 (One Billion, Three Hundred and Forty-five Million, Five Hundred and Eighty-six Thousand, Five Hundred Naira).
“The second was awarded on November 3, 2022 for the establishment of Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre in Katsina Airport, valued at N3, 811,497,685.00 (Three Billion, Eight and Eleven Million, Four Hundred and Ninety-seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty-five Thousand Naira).
“The third contract was on February 3, 2023 for the procurement and instalment of lifts, air conditioners and power generator’s house in Aviation House, Abuja, at the cost of N615,195,275.000, (Six Hundred and Fifteen Million, One Hundred and Ninety-five Thousand, Two Hundred and Seventy-five Naira),
“And the fourth was awarded on May 5, 2023 for the procurement of Magnus Aircraft and simulator for Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria at the cost of N2, 296,897, 404.00 ( Two Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety-six Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety-seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Four Naira).” Sources close to investigators said.
According to our source, out of the total contract sum, the ex-minister paid out N3,212,258,930.18, to his younger brother’s Engirios Nigerian Limited, who upon the receipt of the payment, transferred it to different companies and individuals.
It was discovered that there was no trace of work done on any of the contract items till date.
It was further learned that the commission has freezed the two accounts used in funnelling the alleged loots.