Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, along with his daughter, son-in-law, and Al-Duraq Investment Limited, have been granted N100 million bail each by the Federal High Court in Abuja. The bail comes in the wake of allegations of N2.7 billion fraud levelled against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Sirika, Fatima Sirika, Jalal Hamma, and Al-Duraq Investment Limited pleaded ‘not guilty’ to six counts of fraud during their arraignment before Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
According to the court’s directives, the defendants must provide two sureties with landed properties in Abuja, bearing valid titles, who must also depose to an affidavit of means. Additionally, Justice Oriji stipulated that the defendants are prohibited from traveling abroad without the court’s permission.
In the event of non-compliance with the bail conditions, the court ordered that the defendants should be remanded in prison custody until they fulfill the requirements.
The trial is scheduled to commence on June 10, 11, and 20.
Hadi Sirika, who served as the aviation minister during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, and his co-defendants appeared in court on Thursday morning to face charges related to the alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud uncovered during Sirika’s tenure.
The EFCC had arrested Sirika in April and interrogated him regarding fraudulent contracts authorized for Engirios Nigeria Limited, a company owned by his younger sibling, Abubakar Sirika.
In a related development, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed in January that the EFCC was also investigating the controversial Nigeria Air deal sealed during Sirika’s tenure.
Keyamo stated, “The EFCC is investigating that deal. There is a criminal investigation going on. I have called for the report.”