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N19.4bn fraud: Sirika, brother’s absence stalls arraignment
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By Francesca Hangeior.
The scheduled arraignment of the former minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, his brother, Ahmad Sirika and company – Enginos Nigeria Limited, before a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Garki, Abuja, on Monday, was stalled due to the defendants’ absence.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s, lawyer, O.A. Atolagbe, informed the court that the defendant’s counsel had appealed that the arraignment be adjourned subject to the judgment of the court as the defendants couldn’t make it to court for a couple of reasons.
He said the defendants haven’t been served and they are also not within the city as they were granted administrative bail.
He said, “The defendants are not in court. They are not able to make it to the court this morning but they have not been served and are not within Abuja and could not make it into town this morning.
“The defendant’s counsel reached out to the prosecution that the defendants will be pleading for an adjournment so that they can be served with the charge and take their plea. The defendants are not in custody because they were granted administrative bail. With the intervention of their counsel, they are asking for some time.”
The defendants’ counsel, Olaniyi Anjorin, apologised to the court for his client’s absence.
“Your lordship I want to sincerely apologise for the absence of the defendants,” he said.
Justice Suleiman Belgore accordingly, adjourned the matter to May 23 for arraignment of the defendants.
Sirika, his brother, Ahmad and his company, Enginos Nigeria Limited, are facing an eight-count criminal charge bordering on fraud to the tune of N19.4billion.
The sum is said to be for several aviation ministry contracts from the former minister to Enginos Nigeria Limited owned by Sirika’s younger brother, Ahmad.
According to the anti-graft agency, Sirika used his position as a minister to confer undue advantage on his brother, company and other entities between April 2022 and March 2023 in Abuja.
Abubakar is said to be the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
He is also said to be the sole signatory to the company’s two accounts, domiciled in Zenith and Union banks.
The anti-graft agency stated that Sirika awarded the construction of a Terminal Building at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1,345,586,500.00 to Enginos Nigeria Limited owned by Ahmad Sirika,
Sirika was also accused of awarding a contract for the establishment of the Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport for the sum of N3,811,497,685.00 to his brother and company.
Sirika, among others, was also accused of awarding a contract for the Procurement and Installation of lift and air conditioners and power generators for the Aviation House Abuja, for the sum of N615,195,275.00 to Ahmad and Enginos.
The EFCC stated that these offences are contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same section.
Between August 2022 and May 2023, Ahmad and Enginos, were accused by the EFCC, of having an aggregate sum of N2,337, 840,674.1, which sum indirectly represented the proceeds of criminal conduct of Sirika, the Minister of Aviation at the time. “To wit: use of office or position for gratification in respect of the said amount, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 and punishable under the same section.
Earlier, Ahmad was also said to have been arrested and detained by the EFCC in connection with N3,212,258,930.18 paid to his company, Enginos Nigerian Limited’s bank account by the former minister.
The contracts for which the sums were paid for, were also said to be undone with no trace of work done to date.
Recall that Sirika, his daughter Fatimah and son-in-law, Jalal Hamma and Al-Buraq Investment Limited, were previously arraigned on May 9, before Justice Sylvanus Orji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama in Abuja.
Ten days to the gubernatorial election in Osun State, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen Osun State Government account domiciled with First Bank of Nigeria.Lagos News Updates
The account used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was placed on “Post No Debit” status by the anti-graft agency.
Though, this is coming after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the EFCC was plotting to freeze the state’s accounts and those of top government officials.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, Adeleke described the reported move as an attempt to cripple government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
He reiterated that there was no legal basis for freezing the accounts of the state government, arguing that the EFCC lacked the statutory powers to take such action.
Meanwhile, the EFCC is yet to issue an official statement in respect to the development.
Vanguard
Small business owners in Nigeria have a fresh opportunity to access government funding as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) reopens its Conditional Grant Scheme.
The programme provides qualified nano and micro enterprises with a one-off N50,000 grant that beneficiaries are not expected to repay.
The funding is intended to give small businesses additional resources to strengthen their day-to-day operations, invest in growth and increase their workforce.
However, the grant comes with a job creation condition. Businesses that benefit from the scheme are required to employ at least one additional worker.
Why SMEDAN is offering the grant
SMEDAN designed the Conditional Grant Scheme to make financial support more accessible to small businesses, particularly enterprises that may find it difficult to obtain conventional business loans.
Unlike a loan, the N50,000 support does not attract interest or require repayment, provided beneficiaries meet the conditions attached to the programme.
The agency said the initiative is also aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship, improving productivity and supporting economic activity at the local level.
The CGS should not be confused with the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme. While the two programmes are separate, both provide N50,000 grants to qualifying nano businesses.
Which businesses does the scheme target?
The funding is primarily aimed at nano and micro enterprises operating within local government areas across Nigeria.
Information applicants need
Business owners seeking the grant will have to provide personal and business details during the application process.
The information requested includes:
Applicant’s full name
Email address
Phone number
Business name
CAC registration number, if applicable
Type of industry or business
Years in business
Applicants should ensure that the details supplied are correct and correspond with their business information.
The grant is intended for legitimate business-related expenses that can help improve the performance of an enterprise.
Depending on their needs, beneficiaries can channel the funds towards:
Equipment purchases
Technology improvements
The support is therefore designed to go beyond immediate cash assistance by helping businesses improve their ability to operate and compete.
Participants in the Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) for micro enterprises receive financial assistance tailored to their business needs.
These nano businesses get a sum of ₦50,000 grant on the condition of employing one person in order to encourage job creation.
Business owners interested in the N50,000 Conditional Grant Scheme should use the application portal designated by SMEDAN.
Applicants should carefully complete the registration process, provide accurate information and confirm that their businesses satisfy the conditions for participation before submitting their applications.
(VANGUARD)
The Nigerian Army has arrested two serving soldiers over their alleged involvement in an unauthorised deployment during the lavish wedding ceremony of Nigerian content creator Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, and fellow TikTok personality Jarvis, SaharaReporters has learnt.
Military sources revealed on Tuesday evening that the arrests followed intelligence indicating that the soldiers participated in an illegal deployment at the celebrity wedding held in Lekki, Lagos State, over the weekend.
According to a top military source, the soldiers were apprehended on Tuesday morning as investigations commenced into the incident.
The source identified the arrested personnel as 23NA/85/10007 Private Onasanya Ifeoluwa of the 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 Private Ukpai Onyinyechi, also attached to the 81DMSH in Obalende, Lagos.
“Following credible intelligence on the involvement of Nigerian Army personnel in illegal deployment during popular social influencer’s wedding known as Peller at Lekki, Lagos, the Group arrested 23NA/85/10007 PTE Onasanya Ifeoluwa of 81 Division Medical Services and Hospital (81DMSH) and 23NA/85/7885 PTE Ukpai Onyinyechi of 81DMSH at Obalende this morning.
“Preliminary investigation is ongoing to establish the extent of their involvement and identify other personnel connected with the incident. Further details will be forwarded as the investigation unfolds,” the source said.
The arrests come after videos from the high-profile wedding circulated widely on social media, showing uniformed military personnel providing security around some of the celebrity guests.
One of the videos, which drew significant public attention, allegedly showed a Nigerian soldier acting as a bouncer for TikTok personality Ivanna while escorting her through the crowded venue.
The footage triggered widespread criticism online, with many Nigerians questioning why military personnel were allegedly deployed to a private social event involving influencers and celebrities.
Peller and Jarvis’ wedding, held in Lekki over the weekend, attracted several prominent entertainers, social media influencers and content creators. Videos from the ceremony dominated social media platforms, with large crowds of fans and guests in attendance.
The event became one of the most talked-about celebrity occasions of the weekend, but controversy soon followed after clips surfaced showing men in military uniforms managing access to parts of the venue and escorting some attendees.
The Nigerian Army has repeatedly maintained that serving personnel are prohibited from undertaking unauthorised private security duties or participating in illegal deployments without official approval.
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FG Reopens Portal For Nigerians To Obtain N50,000 Grant(See how to apply)
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