The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a fresh eight-count charge against Hadi Sirika, former minister of aviation, over an alleged contract fraud.

The former minister will be arraigned alongside his brother, Ahmad Abubakar, and Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Abubakar, before S.B. Belgore, a judge of a federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Sirika is alleged to have abused his office by awarding contracts to Enginos Nigeria Limited.

Already, Sirika is standing trial on a six-count charge bordering on the same offences.

He was arraigned on May 9 alongside Fatima, his daughter; his son-in-law, Jalal Hamma; and Al-Duraq Investment Limited, over an alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud.

All the defendants pleaded not guilty and were also granted bail in the sum of N100 million each.

Sirika was the aviation minister in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2023.

The anti-graft agency began investigating the alleged contract fraud against Sirika while he was still in office.

He also reportedly met with investigators at the time.

The EFCC had reportedly detained Sirika on April 23, pending his arraignment.

The case, which is before Sylvanus Oriji, a judge of an FCT high court, has been adjourned to June 10, 11, and 20 for trial.

The Department of Development Control, under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has issued a 24-hour demolition notice to the proprietors of 500 unauthorized markets and makeshift structures along the Karmo – Dei-Dei Road corridor in Abuja.  

Mr. Garba Jibril, Sector Monitor and Assistant Director in the department, who oversaw the operation in Abuja on Monday, made this disclosure in a statement.  

Jibril further said that the Director of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, had conducted a sensitization meeting with the stakeholders. 

He explained that the demolition of the unauthorized structures was essential as they cause disturbances on the road and contribute to significant traffic congestion, particularly on market days.

The team leader also revealed that the FCTA has granted a contract for the development of the Life Camp – Dei-Dei Road.

However, he noted that the ongoing presence of traders along the road corridor is obstructing the contractors from beginning their work.

He said that the 24-hour notice should be taken seriously and that non-compliance would result in consequences for those involved.

Additionally, he said that the traders have been directed to relocate to the officially designated Karmo Market, which is fully developed and equipped with all required facilities.

“But the traders have been reluctant to move,” he noted.

“We have had several meetings with the relevant stakeholders, including traditional leaders in the area, to get them to move but they remained adamant.

“We equally held a meeting with the traders and the new market operators, who promised to give the traders some incentives to be able to accommodate them in both the informal and the main shops.

“We are hoping that after the demolition, there will be a successful relocation from the road corridor to the main market.

“This will not only maintain a serene environment but also ensure the free flow of traffic in the area,” Jibril said.

A 62-year-old Rick Slayman, the first patient who received the world’s first transplant of a genetically modified pig kidney, has died nearly two months post-operation, Massachusetts General Hospital announced.

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), United States announced the development on Sunday saying there was no indication his death was as a result of the transplant.

On March 16, surgeons at the hospital transplanted a pig’s kidney into 62-year-old Richard Slayman, a living human recipient, for the first time.

The hospital said a genetically-edited pig kidney was used for the “successful” surgery, which took four hours.

Slayman has been living with type 2 diabetes and hypertension for years.

He was on dialysis for many years before receiving a kidney transplant from a deceased human donor in December 2018.

The kidney began to fail about five years later and Slayman was forced to resume dialysis in May 2023.

The patient was discharged from hospital in April, almost three weeks after the operation.

Slayman’s relatives said his story was an inspiration and said one of the reasons he underwent this procedure was to provide hope for the thousands of people who need a transplant to survive.

“Rick accomplished that goal and his hope and optimism will endure forever,” he said.

“To us, Rick was a kind-hearted man with a quick-witted sense of humour who was fiercely dedicated to his family, friends, and co-workers.”