{
  "id": 15210363,
  "title": "Witness Admits Ex-Aviation Minister, Sirika, Not Signatory to N599m Consultancy Contract",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/witness-admits-ex-aviation-minister-sirika-not-signatory-to-n599m",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T14:13:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/10/17/witness-admits-ex-aviation-minister-sirika-not-signatory-to-n599m-consultancy-contract/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the trial of former Minister of Aviation, Sirika, has admitted that Hadi Abubakar Sirika was not a signatory to the N599 million consultancy contract awarded to Al Buraq Global Investment Limited. The witness, Christopher Odofin, stated that there was no implication of Sirika's involvement in the contract issues based on the documents. The trial, ongoing at the High Court in Abuja's Maitama, involves Sirika, his daughter Fatima, son-in-law Hamma Jalal Sule, and Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, on charges of abuse of office and contract fraud amounting to N2.8 billion. The charges allege Sirika used his position to give Al Buraq Global Investment Limited an unfair advantage in the Katsina Airport apron extension contract. Sirika and his co-defendants have pleaded not guilty. The witness also testified that he was unaware of the additional evidence and the increase in the number of witnesses in the case.",
  "summary": "Alex Enumah in Abuja A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing trial of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, has admitted that the",
  "key_points": [
    "Witness admits Sirika not signatory to N599m contract.",
    "Trial ongoing at High Court in Abuja s Maitama.",
    "Sirika, daughter, son-in-law, and company charged with abuse of office and fraud."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}