THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday played an alleged voice note of former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, as part of its evidence in the ongoing trial over an alleged N2.8 billion aviation contract fraud.
News Point Nigeria reports that the audio recording, which was admitted in court through a Compact Disc (CD), was played before Justice Sylvanus Oriji after technical difficulties had prevented its playback during an earlier sitting. The voice note was identified by the EFCC’s 12th prosecution witness, Christopher Odofin, while the defence did not dispute that the voice in the recording belonged to Sirika.
According to the anti-graft agency, the former minister is facing six charges bordering on alleged corruption in relation to the N2.8 billion aviation contract.
At Wednesday’s proceedings, the prosecution tendered the CD as an exhibit to enable the court hear the contents of the voice recording.
Following the playback, senior defence counsel representing Sirika and the company standing trial, Michael Numa and Sanusi Mohammed, reserved their objections to the admissibility of both the CD and its contents until their final written addresses.
In the voice note played before the court, Sirika was allegedly heard instructing the then Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Abel Enitan, to facilitate the award of a consultancy contract to a company owned by his friend.
“Do the right thing. Generate the necessary contract and give it to his company. In that way, we can be paying for his services,” the voice note allegedly stated.
Providing clarification on the contents of the recording, EFCC investigator Christopher Odofin testified that the company being referred to in the conversation was Tanaero Nigeria Limited (TNL), which he identified as belonging to Gabriel Tilmann, whom he described as a friend of the former minister.
According to the witness, Sirika also described Tilmann in the recording as a trained captain and experienced manager who had helped establish several airlines across the world, including Qatar Airways, which he reportedly described as the best.
The former minister allegedly stated in the recording:
“Whatever we can get, he’s quite resourceful and very energetic… So he has what it takes.”
The voice recording further suggested that Tilmann enjoyed a close relationship with the Ministry of Aviation because of Sirika.
“I mean, because of me, he feels very comfortable with the ministry,” the recording allegedly stated.
During the proceedings, Michael Numa, counsel representing Al Buraq Investment, objected to the prosecution’s line of questioning, arguing that it called for speculation and that no proper foundation had been laid for such questions.
Justice Oriji, however, advised the defence to reserve its objections and address the issues during cross-examination of the witness.
Numa maintained that the prosecution’s questions appeared designed to generate media attention rather than establish facts before the court.
Responding, the judge urged the defence not to be concerned about media reports but to concentrate on performing their responsibilities diligently and with a clear conscience.
Justice Oriji subsequently adjourned the matter until Thursday (today) for the continuation of trial proceedings.