The immediate past Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, has debunked reports that he was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Information Nigeria had reported that the EFCC invited the former Minister to appear before it within the week to answer questions related to the launch of the airline, Nigerian Air, in Ethiopian colors labeled as fraud by the Senate.
Recall also that the anti-graft agency also questioned officials of the national carrier over the recent launch of the airline in Abuja.
Sirika in a chat with Daily Trust however denied knowledge of any invitation.
He said, “Well, maybe they invited me in their imagination, but what I do know is that I had gone to see the former chairman (Abdulrasheed Bawa) last week, and I have not received any invitation. If they want to invite me, I’m here.”
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Responding to whether he went to see Bawa based on his invitation or personally, he said, “I did not get any invitation from the EFCC, Oga, that’s what I said to you. I have not been invited. If I’m invited, it is not any news or no news; I can go whenever I’m invited.
“If they invite me today, I will appear. I was a public officer and I am accountable for my actions. Public officers are accountable for their actions. If I’m invited by the EFCC, I will go. I’ve not seen any invitation. I am in my house, and I’m based in Abuja, not Kaduna, and they are also here in Abuja.”
EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, who told Daily Trust that Sirika had been invited said: “Yes, that’s what I am telling you, he was invited. I can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation in that regard. I won’t speak further until he confirms his invitation.”
