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N2.7bn fraud: EFCC first witness testifies in Sirika trial

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Monday, presented its first witness in the N2.7 billion contract fraud trial of Hadi Sirika; his daughter, Fatima; his Son-in-law, Jalal Hamma, and Al-Buraq Investment Limited.

Led in evidence by EFCC lead counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, the subpoenaed witness, a former director of Procurement, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Azubuike Okorie, informed Justice Sylvanus Oriji, of the Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja, that the N1.4 billion Apron Extension contract at Katsina Airport was not executed as of the time he left civil service in May 23, 2023.

 

Okorie said, “As of the time I left civil service on May 23, 2023, the contract was not executed, to the best of my knowledge.”

The witness also said while serving as Special Assistant to the Minister, Projects between 2022-2023, and Chairman, Project Implementation Committee at the time, they were responsible for monitoring and evaluating projects to ensure their execution.

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According to him, Al-Buraq was one of the awardees for the project at Kastina Airport.
He told the court that when his committee visited the state for project monitoring and implementation at the airport, Al-Buraq contractors and other contractors were not on the ground.

 

“When we got there(Kastina Airport), we had a list of other contractors who were supposed to be on the ground including Al-Buraq. My lord, we did not find any of them on site then,” he added.

He explained that before a contract was awarded, the user agency, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, would have secured land where the project would be sited through a certificate of occupancy.

 

The witness stated that his committee had interactions with the Commissioner, Lands, Kastina State who had informed them then that “because of the conflict between the Nigerian Air Force and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, they were not able to secure the land at that time and so the contractors could not go to site.”

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He further testified that he was only aware of the 30 per cent mobilization fee paid to the company in dispute and could not confirm if a 100 per cent payment was made to Al-Buraq.

 

“As Chairman, Project Implementation Committee, I was not involved in payments.

“Payments are made in stages until a contractor finishes the contract,” he said as Rotimi Jacobs told the judge that the subpoenaed witness was done with his testimony.

 

The defendants’ counsel, led by Kanu Agabi, asked the court for an adjournment till tomorrow for cross-examination because they needed time to study the documents EFCC relied on during the witness’s testimony.

 

The court subsequently adjourned till Tuesday, June 11, 2024, for the continuation of the trial.

 

Hadi Sirika, his daughter and son-in-law are facing a six-count amended criminal charge of contract fraud to the tune of N2.7bn.

 

Sirika was accused of using his position to confer undue advantage on his daughter, son-in-law and company.

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Family demands justice as ‘senior colleagues kill’ air force student in Kaduna

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The family of late Felix Aliyu, a 15-year-old student of Air force Comprehensive School, Kaduna, has demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to his death.

 

Aliyu, who was the newly appointed deputy head boy of the school, was alleged to have been killed on June 19 by two outgoing senior students of the school.

 

The students were said to have finished writing their final examination — Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE) –and were waiting to write the National Examination Council (NECO) exam.

 

Speaking in an interview with journalists on Sunday, Paul Samson, the deceased’s nephew, said he visited Aliyu during the Sallah break and met him hail and hearty.

 

Samson described Aliyu as a “brilliant and disciplined student to the core” and said the family members were still in shock over his death.

 

He urged the management of the school to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure that justice is done.

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“The management of the school and the authorities of Nigerian Air Force (NAF), can do honour to our son by intensifying efforts to unravel what led to his death”, he said.

 

“We were assured that an investigation is currently going on to fish out the culprits and see that justice is served.

 

“We, as a family, trust in the integrity of the school and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). We are confident that the killers of our son will not escape punishment.”

 

Reacting in a statement, Edward Gabkwet, NAF spokesperson, said in order to avoid all sorts of speculations, a thorough investigation has commenced to unravel what actually led to the death of the student.

 

“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, and indeed the entire NAF family are saddened by the painful and unfortunate incident of the untimely death of one of our students at Air Force Secondary School, Kaduna on 19 June 24,” the statement reads.

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“To avoid all sorts of speculations, a thorough investigation is currently ongoing to unravel how, why and what actually led to the death of the victim.

 

“Rest assured that this matter is receiving the utmost urgency it deserves, and we won’t rest until it is unravelled.”

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Air Force destroys illegal oil sites in Rivers, others

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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said that its airstrikes destroyed 13 illegal oil refining sites and seven boats in Rivers, Bayelsa and Imo states.

 

NAF spokesman Edward Gabkwet made this known in a statement on Sunday.

 

He said between June 18 and 22, 2024, its Air Component of Operation Delta Safe destroyed the illegal refining sites, seven Cotonou boats as well as dispersed five buses attempting to siphon suspected crude oil products from surface tanks.

 

“Some of the illegal sites were discovered near Imo River on 18 June 2024 with 7 overhead tanks, which were subsequently destroyed while several suspected bunkerers were seen fleeing,” the statement partly read.

 

“Airstrikes were also extended to Wilcourt in Rivers State on 19 June 2024 after an illegal site and canoe filled with illegally refined products, as well as some gun boats, were seen.

 

“Similarly, following intelligence of some illegal refining sites located about 6km from Tunu in Bayelsa State, the aircrew proceeded to the location to identify and destroy the site, a task carried out with the utmost precision.

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“Another significant strike undertaken by the air component was carried out on 22 June 2024, when the crew spotted 5 x J5 buses, probably reconfigured into mini tankers, at the bank of Imo River attempting to siphon illegally refined products.

 

“Amazed at this change of tactics by these economic saboteurs, the crew did not hesitate to immediately destroy the illegal refining sites feeding the buses. The J5 buses were later seen dispersed with some taking cover under trees to avoid detection.

 

He said airstrikes against economic saboteurs and oil thieves would be sustained until the activities of the criminals are reduced to the barest minimum.

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Policeman guarding Rivers monarch kidnapped

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A police orderly attached to HRH Cornwell Ihunwo, the paramount ruler of Rumu-Elechi community in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, has been kidnapped.

 

Godstime Ihunwo, an executive member of Diobu Vigilante and Chief Security Officer of Nkpolu-Orowurokwo, said he received a call about the abduction at 9pm, on Saturday.

 

He said the kidnappers had planned to abduct the traditional ruler but ended taking away the police orderly and driver.

 

He added that upon hearing the news, he rushed to the house of the monarch at Eagle Island area of Port Harcourt, where the monarch confirmed the incident.

 

Ihunwo said, “I received a call about the abduction about 9pm on Saturday 22nd June, 2024.
“I rushed down to his house at Eagle Island where I met him. Chief Cornwell told me it is his driver and Police orderly who were abducted.

 

“We condemn the planned abduction of HRH Cornwell Ihunwo and call on the Police to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident.”

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The Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, the case had been transferred to Octopus Strike Force Police unit for investigation.

 

 

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