A former Aviation Minister, Hadi Abubakar Sirika, on Thursday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), denied the alleged corrupt practices of about N4.135 billion brought against him by the federal government.
Sirika was 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 filed applications for their bail, which was granted by the judge.
While Kanu Agabi SAN argued bail for Sirika, Mahmoud Magaji SAN stood for Fatima and Sunusi Musa SAN made the case for Jalal Sule Hamma.
Michael Numa, SAN represented Al Buraq Global Investment Limited at Thursday’s proceedings.
Although the bail request was opposed by the federal government counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, Justice Oriji 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 addresses, while one of them must have landed property with a certificate of occupancy signed by the FCT Minister.
The judge ordered that the defendants must not travel out of the country without the express permission of the court.
If unable to perfect the bail conditions, Justice Oriji ordered that they should be remanded in prison custody until the time of perfection of bail conditions.
The court fixed June 10 and 11 for the resumption of the trial of the defendants.
Court Grants Ex-Aviation Minister, Sirika, Daughter, Others N100m Bail, Bars Them From Unauthorised Trip
