Justice Suleiman Belgore of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Garki, Abuja, has granted bail to former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who is currently facing trial for alleged fraud involving N19.4 billion.
In his ruling, Justice Belgore set the bail for the former Minister at one hundred million naira and required two sureties of equal amount. One of the sureties must possess a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.
The court further stipulated that the former Minister is not permitted to travel outside Nigeria without the court’s permission.
Additionally, the court extended the same bail terms and conditions to the second defendant, Ahmad Sirika.
Earlier, Premium Politics had reported that Sirika, and his brother, Ahmad Sirika, pleaded not guilty to the allegations of contract fraud worth N19.4 billion.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned Hadi Sirika, his brother Ahmad Sirika, and Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Abubakar, on an amended 10 count.
The charges border on abuse of office, with Sirika accused of awarding contracts to his brother’s company, Enginos Nigeria Limited, during his time in office.
The EFCC’s allegations suggest that Hadi Sirika may have used his position to favor his brother’s company in the awarding of lucrative contracts, thereby violating ethical and legal standards expected of public office holders.
