A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has granted bail to former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Hadi Sirika; his daughter, and two others in the sum of ₦100 million with two sureties.
Sirika who was docked alongside his in-law and daughter, Fatima was arraigned by the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), before Justice Sylvanus Orji over an alleged ₦2.7bn fraud.
They all pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them after it was read to them.
Ruling, Justice Oriji granted them bail in the sum of ₦100 million and two sureties. The sureties, according to the court, must have landed properties in Abuja and also responsible citizens.
READ: N2.7bn Fraud: EFCC Arraigns Sirika, Daughter, Others Today
Also, the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means. The court also restricted the defendants from travelling abroad without its permission.
The Judge also ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody if they failed to meet their bail conditions.
The allegations
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in April, took the ex-aviation minister into custody and grilled him for days.
The anti-graft agency then slammed six six-count charge on Hadi Sirika, his daughter, and two others.
The anti-graft agency accused Sirika of conferring undue advantage on some entities between April 2022 and March 2023 in Abuja.
EFCC alleged that Sirika abused his office by awarding N1.3 billion consultancy contract for the Nigerian Air start-up to Tianero Nigeria Limited.
According to EFCC, his actions were contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Furthermore, in another count, EFCC alleged that on or about August 18, 2022 in Abuja, Sirika “did use your position to confer unfair advantage upon Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, whose alter ego, Fatima Hadi Sirika and Jalal Sule Hamma, are your daughter and son-in-law, respectively, by using your position to influence the award to them, the contract for the Apron Extension at Katsina Airport for the sum of N1,498,300,750.”
Therefore, the charge noted, Sirika violated Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. And that he was liable to punishment under the same section.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
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