Ex-Aviation Minister, Sirika denies N4.135b fraud charges, gets N100m bail

A former Aviation Minister, Hadi Abubakar Sirika on Thursday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory FCT denied the allegation of any engagement in corrupt practices involving about N4.135 billion brought against him by the federal government.

Sirika iwas arraigned before Justice Sylvanus Oriji along with his daughter, Fatima, his son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma and a firm – Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.

The daughter and son- in-law also pleaded not guilty to the six count charges when read to them.

They were put on trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on behalf of the federal government.

Following their denial of the fraud charges, their respective lawyers moved applications for their bail which was granted by the Judge.

Justice Orji admitted the three defendants to bail in the sum of N100m and two sureties each in the like sum.

The sureties must be responsible citizens with verifiable home address while one of them must have landed property with certificate of occupancy signed by the FCT Minister.

The Judge ordered that the defendants must not travel out of the country without express permission of the court.

If unable to perfect the bail conditions, Justice Orij ordered that they should be remanded in prison custody till the time of perfection of bail conditions.

The court fixed June 11 for trial of the defendants.

Details later