Sirika, daughter, son-in-law deny N4.13b fraud charges

Get N100m bail each
Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, yesterday, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) denied alleged corrupt practices involving about N4.13 billion brought against him by the Federal Government.

Sirika was arraigned before Justice Sylvanus Oriji along with 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 they were 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.

While Kanu Agabi (SAN) argued bail for Sirika, Mahmoud Magaji (SAN), stood for Fatima, while Sunusi Musa (SAN) made case for Jalal Sule Hamma.

Michael Numa (SAN) represented Al Buraq Global Investment Limited at yesterday’s proceedings.

Although the bail request was opposed by the Federal Government’s counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Justice Origi admitted the three defendants to bail in the sum of N100 million and two sureties each in like sum.

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 they 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 the trial of the defendants.

Part of the accusations against them are the 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 were contrary to Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, to 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.