Sirika Denies ₦2.7bn Fraud Charges, Granted ₦100m Bail
Written by Jerry Alomatu on May 9, 2024
Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, along with his daughter Fatima, son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma, and a company named Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, appeared before Justice Sylvanus Oriji at the Federal High Court in Abuja. They faced charges relating to alleged corrupt practices involving approximately N2.7 billion brought against them by the Federal Government.
Upon the reading of the six-count charges, all the defendants, including Sirika, his daughter, and son-in-law, pleaded not guilty. Subsequently, their respective lawyers filed applications for bail, which the judge granted after their denial of the fraud charges.
Justice Oriji granted bail to the three defendants at ₦100 million each, along with two sureties for each defendant who must also provide the same sum. The sureties were required to be responsible citizens with verifiable home addresses, and one of them must possess landed property with a certificate of occupancy signed by the FCT Minister.
Additionally, the judge imposed travel restrictions on the defendants, stipulating that they must not leave the country without the express permission of the court. Failure to meet the bail conditions would result in the defendants being remanded in prison custody until the conditions were fulfilled.
The trial commencement was scheduled for June 10th, marking the next legal step in the case. Hadi Sirika served as Aviation Minister under the administration of former president Muhammadu Buhari.
FOLLOW OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS:
- WhatsApp channel: Shiloh Media Advertising
- Facebook: Shiloh Media
- Twitter: Shiloh Media
- Instagram: Shiloh Media
- YouTube: Shiloh Media
- Tiktok: Shiloh Media
Author: Jerry Alomatu
Astute communicator
