…bars them from unauthorised trip
A former Aviation Minister, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, on Thursday denied alleged corrupt practices involving N4.135 billion brought against him by the Federal Government.
Sirika was arraigned before Justice Sylvanus Oriji at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) alongside his daughter, Fatima, his son-in-law, Jalal Sule Hamma, and a firm, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.
The daughter and son-in-law also pleaded not guilty to the six-count charges when read to them.
They were put on trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of the Federal Government.
Following their denial of the fraud charges, their respective lawyers moved applications for their bail which was granted by the judge.
Kanu Agabi (SAN) argued bail for Sirika, Mahmoud Magaji (SAN) stood for Fatima, while Sunusi Musa (SAN) made a case for Jalal Sule Hamma.
Micheal Numa (SAN) represented Al Buraq Global Investment Limited at Thursday’s proceedings.
Although the bail request was opposed by the Federal Government’s counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Justice Oriji admitted the three defendants to bail in the sum of N100m and two sureties each in the like sum.
He said the sureties must be responsible citizens with verifiable home addresses while one of them must have landed property with a certificate of occupancy signed by the FCT Minister.
The judge ordered that the defendants must not travel out of the country without express permission of the court.
If unable to perfect the bail conditions, Justice Oriji ordered that the defendants should be remanded in prison custody till the time of perfection of bail conditions.
The court fixed June 10 and 11 for the resumption of trial of the defendants.
Part of the accusations against them are consultancy contract fraud for Nigerian Air (N1,326,731,670.97), contract for Apron Extension at Katsina Airport (N1,498,300,750.00 ), and gratification (N1,310,142,051.16)
The charge indicated that the defendants committed the alleged offence between April 2022 and March 2023. It also indicated that all the offences are contrary to Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, and Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532 Acts of the Federal Capital Territory and punishable under the same sections.
