Mr. Isaiah Yesufu, the Director of Certification, Compliance, and Monitoring at the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), testified against former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika on Monday in the ongoing trial over an alleged N19.4 billion contract fraud.
Sirika, his brother Ahmad, and two companies are facing charges of abuse of office and contract fraud, related to the construction of the terminal building at Katsina Airport.
Yesufu, who is a prosecution witness, revealed in court that the BPP was not aware of the split in the contract.
Sirika and his co-defendants are being prosecuted on a 10-count charge before Justice Suleiman Belgore, including charges of abuse of office, criminal breach of trust, and using their positions for personal gain.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that Sirika awarded various contracts to his brother, Ahmad, totaling approximately N19.4 billion.
The commission further claims that Sirika unfairly benefited Enginos Nigeria Limited, owned by his brother, by influencing the awarding of a contract for the construction of the Katsina Airport terminal building, valued at N1,345,586,500.
Another contract for the establishment of a Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport was allegedly awarded for N3,811,497,685.
Additionally, the EFCC claims Ahmad and Enginos Nigeria Limited received N2,337,840,674.16, which they knew represented the proceeds of Sirika’s alleged criminal conduct.
Despite the charges, the defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Testifying in court, Yesufu explained that any bidder for a contract must submit an affidavit declaring that there is no relationship with the procuring entity.
“If there is a relationship, this shall amount to a conflict of interest and should be disclosed,” Yesufu said.
He also stated that the relevant officer in the BPP or procuring entity must recuse themselves from participating in the process if a conflict of interest arises.
Yesufu described the procurement process for the Katsina airport terminal building, stating that the Ministry of Aviation sought approval to adopt a restricted tendering method due to time constraints.
Approval was granted for five companies, including Enginos Nigeria Limited.
However, Yesufu said that after the approval was granted, the ministry completed the procurement process and awarded two separate contracts: one to Enginos and another to Al-Buraq.
He clarified, “The Bureau was not aware how a single contract, titled ‘Construction of Katsina Airport Terminal Building and Apron,’ was eventually awarded as two separate contracts.”
Yesufu only learned about the contract split when he was invited by the EFCC, where he provided his statement.
He confirmed that Enginos Nigeria Limited was awarded the contract for the Katsina airport terminal building at a cost of N1,345,586,500.
Following Yesufu’s testimony, prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) requested an adjournment to sort out some documents.
The other parties did not object, and Justice Belgore adjourned the case until April 8 for further testimony from the prosecution witness.
