Hadi Sirika, Daughter, Son-In-Law Get ₦300m Bail
JUSTICE Sylvanus Oriji of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), High Court sitting in Maitama earlier today granted former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, his daughter, and two others One Hundred Million Naira (₦100,000,000.00) bail each with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Oriji also ruled that the sureties must have landed properties in Abuja, be responsible citizens, and be deposed to an affidavit of means.
The court also barred the defendants from travelling abroad without its permission. The court also ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility if they failed to meet their bail conditions.
Mr Sirika was arraigned on a six-count amended charge alongside three others, including his daughter, Fatima; his son-in-law, Jalal Hamma and Al-Duraq Investment Ltd, for abuse of office and fraudulent contracts awarded during his tenure to the tune of Two Billion, Seven Hundred Million Naira (N2.700,000,000.00).
Under Mr Sirika, who served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the ill-fated and controversial Nigeria Air project was ‘executed.’
As part of the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) investigations into the alleged financial malfeasance reportedly committed by the former minister, “including fraudulent contracts awarded by the Ministry under his watch”, led to his detention on 23 April 2024 in Abuja.
Sirika was invited by the Abuja Zonal Command of the Commission on the alleged contract malfeasance and was promptly interrogated and detained at Formella Street, Wuse 2 Zonal office of the Commission.
“The former minister (Sirika) was invited for questioning by investigators handling the alleged contract frauds under his watch in the ministry. He honoured the invitation and has been detained as I am talking with you,” a source in the EFCC who pleaded anonymity, stated.
The source also said that EFCC had been investigating the alleged contract frauds while the minister was in office, and he had even met with investigators before he was detained.
Eighteen-Eleven Media
