A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Sylvanus Oriji today granted bail to immediate-past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and his daughter, Fatimah, and two others in the sum of ₦100 million with two sureties. The former minister and his daughter have been in the custody of EFCC. Sirika and others are being tried over an alleged N2.7 billion fraud. The sureties, according to the court, must have landed properties in Abuja and also responsible citizens.
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 be remanded in prison custody if they failed to meet their bail conditions.
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in April, took the ex-aviation minister into custody and grilled him for days and then slammed a six-count charge on him, 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.