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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has been arraigned alongside his daughter and son-in-law at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Sirika on a six-count amended charge bordering on alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud.
EFCC had reportedly detained Sirika on April 23 pending his arraignment.
The anti-graft agency began investigating the alleged contract fraud case against Sirika while he was still in office. He also reportedly met with investigators at the time.
The arraignment, which was earlier slated for Tuesday, was rescheduled to Thursday due to an EFCC prayer to amend the charge.
Sirika was Aviation Minister in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration between 2019 and 2023.
During proceedings on Thursday, Sirika alongside his daughter, Fatima; son-in-law, Jalal Hamma, and Al-Duraq Investment Ltd pleaded not guilty to the six-count charges preferred against them before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.
EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), prayed that the case be given accelerated hearing.
Jacobs said the defendants were earlier granted bail by the commission, and were asked to return to the EFCC office on April 19 for interrogation, but failed to do so.
He added that the court should ensure that they continue to appear for trial in order not to delay the case unnecessarily.
Sirika’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN) pleaded for leniency and mercy from the judge while the bail application was being considered.
He also asked that Sirika be granted bail on self-recognition.
Mahmoud Magaji (SAN), counsel to Fatima, said his client is a nursing mother and should be granted bail on “extremely liberal grounds.”
Oriji granted bail to the three defendants in the sum of N100 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
The sureties must be “responsible citizens” and resident within the FCT, Oriji stated.
“They must have landed properties within Abuja Municipal Area Council and be covered by a Certificate of Occupancy that must be verifiable.
“They must submit copies of their identity cards and photocopies of their international passports to the court.
“The defendants must also not travel out of the country during the pendency of the case without the permission of the court,” the judge added.
Oriji explained that should any of the defendants fail to fulfil the bail conditions, they will be remanded in a correctional centre.
The case was adjourned to June 10, 11 and 20 for trial.