By Desire Emmanuel
Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who is currently facing an alleged N2.7 billion fraud charges, has been named the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Umaru Yar’Adua University, Katsina State.
Hadi Sirika is facing six‑count of abuse of office and money‑laundering to the tune of N2.7 billion.
He was accused of using his position as Aviation Minister to confer an unfair advantage on Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, a company linked to his daughter, Fatima Hadi Sirika and son‑in‑law, Hamma Jalal Sule, and of related contract‑fraud, including the Katsina Airport apron/terminal contracts .
He was accused of diverting public funds– N1.3 billion for a “Nigerian Air” consultancy, N1.4 billion for the Katsina Airport apron, and other sums — into accounts of his daughter, son‑in‑law, and those companies.
In fact, he was appointed as the Pro-Chancellor on Tuesday, October 28, the same day his case came up before Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, appointed him as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the university because of what was described as “recognition of his outstanding qualities and proven record of performance over the years.”
According to a statement by the state government on the appointment: “The governor congratulates Hadi Sirika on his well-deserved appointment and wishes him Allah’s guidance in the discharge of his duties as chairman of the Governing Council, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYU) Katsina.”
However, shortly after his appointment, his case came up in an Abuja court as Justice S.C. Oriji adjourned till December 9 the adoption of written addresses by the prosecution and defence counsel in his trial within trial.
He was dragged to the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside the daughter and son-in-law.
With this, there is the likelihood that he will be attending both the court sessions and presiding over how the university system would be run.
