Alleged N4.135bn Fraud: Sirika, Daughter, Others Get N100m Bail Each

Justice Sylvanus Orji of the 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 N100 million each.

The court also ordered the accused to produce two sureties each. It further directed that the accused should be remanded in prison if they fail to meet the bail conditions. Sirika was arraigned on a six-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 EFCC dated May 7 and filed on May 8, which was not opposed by counsel to the defendants.

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, the counsel for Sirika (1st defendant, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) told 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.

In his interjection, Jacobs told the court that all the defendants are on administrative bail and urged the court to grant their request on the condition that will make them appear for their trial.

In his ruling on the bail application, Justice Orji granted bail to each of the defendants in the sum of N100 million 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 travelling abroad without its permission. Justice Oriji ordered that the defendants should be remanded in prison custody if they fail to meet up with the bail conditions.

The trial has been fixed for 10, 11 and 20 June.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (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 N4.135bn. The charges were read to them in court.

The defendants arraigned alongside Sirika and his daughter, include son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma and Al-Duraq Investment Limited. They all pleaded not guilty to all the count charges.