Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, along with his daughter and two others, have been slated for arraignment today (thursday) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

They face charges related to an alleged N2.7 billion fraud linked to the failed Nigerian Air project.

The proceedings are set to unfold before Justice Sylvanus Oriji at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.

The charges, based on court documents, accuse Sirika of granting undue advantage to certain entities in Abuja between April 2022 and March 2023.

The anti-graft agency has accused Sirika of misusing his authority by awarding a N1.3 billion consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air Start-up to Tianero Nigeria Limited.

This alleged action is said to contravene Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

In a separate charge, the EFCC alleges that on or around August 18, 2022, in Abuja, Sirika utilized on or about August 18, 2022 ia, Sirika “did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, whose alter ego, Fatima Hadi Sirika and Jalal Sule Hamma are your daughter and son-in-law respectively, by using your position to influence the award to them, the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1.498,300,750.00.”

The anti-graft agency asserted that Sirika’s actions amounted to a violation of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, rendering him liable to punishment under the same section.

In count three, the EFCC accused Sirika of criminal breach of trust “while serving as the Minister of Aviation and in his capacity as a public officer” on or around August 18, 2022, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the court.

In late April, the former aviation minister was taken into custody by the anti-graft agency and interrogated for several days.

Zamfara State is in the grip of fear and mourning following a series of vicious attacks by bandits, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals and the abduction of a branch manager of Taj Bank in Mandir Laura.

In a daring raid, approximately fifteen armed bandits stormed the manager’s residence in Rijiyar Gabas, seizing him and vanishing into the night.

Meanwhile, Faru Town in Maradun local government area witnessed a bloodbath as bandits struck, leaving eight residents dead.

Eyewitnesses recount the terror as the attackers besieged the town, instilling fear and chaos before retreating with captives into the surrounding forests.

The incidents have prompted widespread outrage and renewed calls for urgent action to stem the tide of violence plaguing Zamfara State.

Gunmen staged a brazen attack on Bmuko community in the Dutse Baupma area of Bwari Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Monday night, abducting four residents.

According to Mr. Isah, a community member, the invasion commenced around 11:50 pm at the residence of Engineer Patrick, where his wife and brother were among those kidnapped.

The assailants, reportedly numbering around 30, descended upon Zone C, Road 5, unleashing gunfire before forcibly entering the engineer’s home and abducting two family members.

He said “From the engineer’s house, after carrying his wife and brother, they divided themselves into two groups. One group went towards the riverside that leads to Kubwa and Bwari, while the other group went towards the hillside.

“It was the group going towards the hillside that stopped at a nearby house where they kidnapped a Pastor and another young man. We could not do anything, we were scared to death during the period of the attack.”

A community leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that they first became aware of the attack when gunshots rang out just minutes before midnight.

He stated that it was then that a fellow resident, residing among them, alerted them to the dire situation via a voice message on their communication platform, indicating that they were under assault.

He said “Swiftly, our security personnel came down, we had to make calls to the FCDA Police Station, luckily we had intervention from them, and soldiers also came to our rescue. However, the whole thing turned to something else, as nobody was arrested.

“The kidnappers went with three or four people. As we speak, the soldiers that went in search of them have returned without rescuing them. The policemen are still in the bush searching for them.

“We have been demanding for Police outpost here in the Bmuko community, this is a populated environment. Whatever is happening here is not out of the knowledge of the security architecture of the FCT.”

Emphasizing the need for increased police presence, the community leader highlighted that regular patrols, occurring three to four times a week, would significantly enhance security and reinforce the presence of law enforcement in the area.

“The people will also be guided both in information and movement. We are trusting that those kidnapped would be rescued safely. They have not contacted anyone yet. We are seriously praying for their safety.

“The wife and brother of one Engineer Patrick were also among the people that were kidnapped, and also a Pastor. The kidnappers came with AK47, because some of the guys during the night search picked up about two or three bullets of AK47 on the ground