A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Musa Odiniya, yesterday told an Abuja High Court that Al-Duraq Investment Limited, which was registered in 2021, got the contract for the construction of the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport in 2022.
Odiniya, who is a former Director of Procurement at the Bureau Public Procurement (BPP), said this while testifying in the alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud against a former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika.
The EFCC is prosecuting Sirika and his daughter Fatima, Jalal Sule Hamma, and Al-Duraq Investment Nigeria Limited for abuse of office and contract fraud. They are standing trial before Justice Sylvanus Oriji on six counts.
Sirika, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, is accused of abusing his office as minister through the award of contracts to a company in which his daughter and her husband had interest.
The alleged offences and others, according to the prosecution, were in contravention of sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, to Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the witness said every firm bidding for contract must submit an affidavit.
“The reason is that no contract should be awarded to a company related to a member of staff in the ministry where the contract is to be executed.
“My department cannot give a contract to a company in which, for instance, the minister is a signatory,” he said.
