BPP Director Testifies Against Former Aviation Minister In Alleged N19.4 Billion Contract Fraud

BPP Director Testifies Against Former Aviation Minister In Alleged N19.4 Billion Contract Fraud

Mr. Isaiah Yesufu, the Director of Certification, Compliance, and Monitoring at the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), provided testimony on Monday against former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged Sirika, his brother Ahmad, and two companies with abuse of office and contract fraud related to the construction of the terminal building at Katsina Airport….READ MORE….

As a prosecution witness, Yesufu stated during the trial that the BPP was unaware of the decision to split the contract. The defendants are facing a 10-count indictment before Justice Suleiman Belgore, which includes charges of abuse of office, criminal breach of trust, and using their positions for personal gain.

The EFCC alleges that Sirika awarded multiple contracts to his brother totaling approximately N19.4 billion. Specifically, the commission claims Sirika granted unjust benefits to Enginos Nigeria Limited, owned by his brother Ahmad, by influencing the contract award for the Katsina Airport terminal building, valued at N1,345,586,500. Additionally, it is claimed that he facilitated a contract for the establishment of a Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport for N3,811,497,685. The EFCC further alleges that Ahmad and Enginos Nigeria Limited unlawfully possessed N2,337,840,674.16, which represented proceeds of the alleged misconduct by the former minister.

The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During his testimony, Yesufu explained that any bidders for contracts must submit an affidavit confirming they do not have a relationship with the procuring entity. “If there is a relationship, it constitutes a conflict of interest and must be disclosed. The involved officer from the procuring entity or the BPP must recuse themselves from the contract awarding process,” Yesufu stated.

He went on to describe how the Ministry of Aviation sought and received approval to adopt a restricted tendering method due to time constraints, which was granted to five companies, including Enginos Nigeria Limited. Yesufu noted that after approval, the ministry completed the procurement process, awarding two contracts—one to Enginos and the other to Al-Buraq.

“The Bureau was not informed of how a single contract titled ‘Construction of Katsina Airport Terminal Building and Apron’ came to be awarded as two separate contracts,” Yesufu revealed, adding that he became aware of the contract split only after being invited by the EFCC to provide a statement.

Enginos Nigeria Limited was awarded the contract for the terminal building at a cost of N1,345,586,500. At this juncture, prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) requested an adjournment to organize certain documents, a motion to which the other parties did not object. Consequently, Justice Belgore adjourned the hearing until April 8 to continue with the testimony of the prosecution witness.