Alleged N4.135b Fraud: Court Grants Sirika, Daughter, Others N100m Bail Each  

Justice Sylvanus of a Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted bail to the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; his daughter Fatima, and others in the sum of N100m each.

The court also ordered the accused persons to produce two sureties each.

According to the court, the accused should be remanded in prison, if they fail to meet the bail conditions.

Sirika was arraigned on a 6-count amended criminal charge before the court.

Before plea taking, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, informed the court of an amended charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dated May 7, and filed on May 8, which was not opposed by Counsel to the defendants.

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After the charge was read and the defendants had pleaded not guilty, Jacobs urged the court for expeditious hearing of the case.

At this juncture, Kanu Agabi SAN, counsel for Sirika (1st defendant) informed the court of his client’s bail application dated May 6.

All the defendants moved their bail applications, and asked the court to be liberal in the bail conditions.

Interjecting, Jacobs told the Court that all the defendants are on administrative bail and urged the court to grant bail on the condition that will make them appear for their trials.

In his ruling on the bail application, Justice Oriji granted bail to each of the defendants in the sum of 100m with two sureties each.

The court held that the sureties must own landed property within the FCT with valid land titles.

Also, the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means.

The Court also restricted the defendants from traveling abroad without its permission.

Trial has been fixed for 10, 11 and 20 June.

The EFCC dragged the former minister and others before the court for alleged fraud and abuse of office.

The ex-minister and others are facing a six-count amended charge to the tune of N4.135b.

The third defendant arraigned alongside Sirika and his daughter, is his son-in-law, Jalal Sule Hamma.

Al-Duraq Investment Limited is also a defendant in the case.

The accused persons all pleaded not guilty to all the charges.